Steelers Sign Ex-WSU RB Max Borghi, Waive Injured RB Master Teague III

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed running back Max Borghi and waived injured running back Master Teague III, the team announced on Thursday.

Borghi, 23, had previously spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos after going undrafted out of Washington State in the 2022 NFL Draft. He was released by Denver on Tuesday as the team made its first cuts from 90 to 85 players.

The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Borghi played three full seasons with Washington State, rushing for 2,158 yards and 32 touchdowns. He spent two seasons as the Cougars’ primary starting running back in 2019 and 2021. He missed all but one game of the 2020 season with a back injury. As a senior in 2021, Borghi rushed 160 times for 880 yards for a 5.5 yards per carry average and 12 touchdowns. He also caught 16 passes for 156 yards. 

The Steelers had reached out to Borghi before signing Teague, but the native of Arvada, Colorado chose to sign with his hometown Broncos instead of coming to Pittsburgh.

Teague suffered a left ankle injury during Tuesday’s practice and had to leave on a cart. He was seen wearing a protective boot around the injury on Wednesday.

An undrafted free agent from Ohio State, Teague joined the Steelers in the middle of training camp after an injury to Jeremy McNichols opened up a spot. Teague had six carries for 31 yards in the Steelers’ preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday.

The Steelers are still looking to solidify their depth at running back behind starter Najee Harris. Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Thursday that Benny Snell Jr., Anthony McFarland Jr. and undrafted rookie Jaylen Warren will all work with the first team on Saturday, while Harris will be held out.

That should leave plenty of work for Borghi and fellow undrafted rookie Mateo Durant during the second half of Saturday’s game.