Steelers Sign WR Javon McKinley, Work Out 3 Others

According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, the Steelers worked out wide receivers Juwan Green, Javon McKinley, D.J. Montgomery and quarterback Vad Lee on Monday. The Steelers ended up signing McKinley.

Steelers worked out Juwan Green, Vad Lee, Javon McKinley (signed), D.J. Montgomery

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 2, 2022

McKinley was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2021 NFL Draft. He was on the Lions’ practice squad for the majority of the 2021 season but was released by the organization in May.

McKinley was teammates with fellow Steelers wide receivers Chase Claypool and Miles Boykin at Notre Dame. McKinley recorded 53 receptions for 985 yards and seven touchdowns in his career at South Bend. In 2020, McKinley led the Fighting Irish in receiving yards (717) and averaged 17.1 yards per catch. The Steelers released defensive end Tyree Johnson to make room for McKinley on the 90-man roster.

After not getting selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, Green signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent. He was waived before the season and signed to the practice squad, where he spent his entire rookie season. Green re-signed with the Falcons in May of 2021 but got released in November. Green has had stints with the Lions and Tennessee Titans, as well. Green is a West Virginia native and Albany product.

Lee went undrafted out of James Madison in 2016 and most recently was the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL. With the Maulers, Lee completed 71 of 130 passes (54.6%) for 729 yards, six touchdowns, six interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 67.1. Lee has never played in the NFL.

BIRMINGHAM, AL – MAY 15: Pittsburgh Maulers quarterback Vad Lee (12) looks on against the Houston Gamblers during the USFL game on May 15, 2022 at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire)

Montgomery has played for the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets since going undrafted out of Austin Peay in 2019. After spending the entire 2020 season on the Jets’ practice squad, Montgomery played three games for the Jets in 2021 and hauled in three passes for 36 yards. Montgomery got waived by the Jets on July 26.

With Chase Claypool being sidelined with a right shoulder injury and Diontae Johnson continuing his “hold-in” at training camp, the signing of McKinley provides some depth at the wide receiver position. Green and Montgomery could possibly be on the Steelers’ radar in the future, as well.