Steelers to Sign CB Mark Gilbert to Practice Squad

According to Ari Meirov of Pro Football Focus, the Steelers are signing former Detroit Lions cornerback Mark Gilbert to their practice squad. Gilbert, who went undrafted, made the Steelers’ practice squad last year before Detroit signed him to their active roster on Oct. 12. Gilbert played in eight games for the Lions and had a key forced fumble on Diontae Johnson in the Week 10 Steelers-Lions game that ended in a 16-16 tie.

Gilbert was raised in Fayetteville, N.C., but he has Aliquippa roots. His uncle is Sean Gilbert, a former Pro Bowl defensive tackle, and his cousin is Darrelle Revis.

Gilbert played in 12 games during his freshman year at Duke, starting three of them. Gilbert then had a standout sophomore year, becoming the only player in Duke history with five or more interceptions and 15 or more passes defended in a single season.

In Week 2 of his junior year against Northwestern, Gilbert suffered a hip injury that sidelined him for the rest of the 2018 season and the entire 2019 season. Gilbert started two games in 2020 before suffering a season-ending foot injury.

Gilbert is the ninth player to sign to the Steelers’ practice squad. Defensive tackle Carlos Davis, guard Bill Dunkle, offensive lineman John Leglue, center Ryan McCollum, running back Anthony McFarland Jr., outside linebacker Hamilcar Rashed Jr., safety Elijah Riley and wide receiver Cody White were all signed to the practice squad after being waived by the team on Tuesday.

The Steelers can add seven more players to the practice squad. Up to two practice squad players can be activated to the game-day roster each week without needing to be added to the 53-man roster. Each practice squad player can be called up three times in a season before they must be added to the 53-man roster.