Steelers Transactions

Steelers Waive High-Pedigree Rookie Running Back

The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed undrafted rookie running back Daijun Edwards on waivers, the team announced on Monday.

Published

3 weeks ago

August 26, 2024

Alan Saunders

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Daijun Edwards celebrates with teammates in a preseason game against the Houston Texans on Aug. 9, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The Pittsburgh Steelers have waived rookie running back Daijun Edwards, the team announced on Monday, as one of nine early cuts before the 53-man roster deadline. An undrafted free agent out of Georgia, Edwards was the first of the team’s UDFAs from this spring to be released.

The 5-foot-10, 201-pound running back had been competing with Jonathan Ward, La’Mical Perine and Aaron Shampklin to be the team’s No. 4 running back, and had consistently been behind the others throughout training camp. In the preseason, Edwards worked almost exclusively with the third team, while the others earned elevated roles as the Steelers minimized Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson both missed time with hamstring injuries.

In there games, Edwards finished with seven carries for 37 yards. His 5.3 yards per carry average was second among the team’s running backs. He also caught one pass — his only target — for nine yards. Edwards played in a total of 17 offensive snaps, and also six special teams snaps, rotating into the backup kickoff return and second-team punt return units. He returned one kickoff for 27 yards.

Edwards shared carries with other backs throughout his time at Georgia, earning a career high of 164 carries for 881 yards as a senior in 2023. He scored 13 touchdowns for the Bulldogs last season on their way to an Orange Bowl title.

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Daijun Edwards Georgia

Daijun Edwards, Georgia Athletics

The Steelers also announced the release wide receivers Jacob Copeland and T.J. Luther, offensive guard Tyler Beach, offensive tackle Devery Hamilton, defensive tackle Marquiss Spencer, inside linebacker Kyahva Tezino and cornerback Kiondre Thomas on Monday.

Additionally, it has been reported that the team released cornerback Kyler McMichael, though that was not officially announced.

The team has until 4 p.m. on Tuesday to cut from 91 players on the offseason roster down to 53. After nine cuts, their roster is currently at 82 players.