The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed former Washington Football Team and Kansas wide receiver Steven Sims to their practice squad, the team announced on Wednesday.
Sims, 24, comes over to Pittsburgh after spending the past two seasons in Washington. There is an obvious connection with Sims, as he played for Steelers’ wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard in 2019. That scouting report and hands-on experience with Sims liking allowed the Steelers to feel comfortable making the move as necessary.
Over the past two seasons, Sims amassed 575 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 61 receptions. The other caveat here is that Sims is also an experienced return man. After Mathew Sexton’s blunders in the final preseason game, it seems that Sims will instead take that spot on the practice squad.
Should Ray-Ray McCloud struggle, it would be no surprise to see Sims elevated given his experience. Sims averaged 25.6 yards per return in 2019, good for 32 returns for 819 yards and a touchdown to go along with it. He also has experience returning punts, returning 24 punts for Washington in 2020.
The Steelers also signed defensive end Daniel Archibong, wide receiver Rico Bussey, running back Trey Edmunds, cornerback Mark Gilbert, tackle Chaz Green, safety Karl Joseph, offensive lineman John Leglue, outside linebacker Christian Miller, guard Malcolm Pridgeon, tight end Kevin Rader, running back Jaylen Samuels, safety Donovan Stiner, outside linebacker Derrek Teszka and wide receiver Cody White.
The team has one open spot remaining on the 16-player squad.