Steelers Waive Injured Rookie Running Back

UNITY TWP., Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers have waived injured running back Alfonzo Graham, the team announced on Wednesday.
Graham suffered a torn labrum during a training camp practice at St. Vincent College on Saturday and had been ruled out for the remainder of the 2023 season.

“I promise the Comeback will be Amazing The talent I have is amazing God just wasn’t ready for the world see yet See y’all in 2024 stay prayed up,” Graham said on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/Alfonzograham2/status/1686050974366941196

The Steelers could have placed Graham on the injured reserve list and retained his rights for 2024 and beyond automatically. Instead, he will go through waivers and another team that wishes to claim Graham may do so.

If Graham clears waivers, he will revert to the Steelers injured reserve list, where he could stay for the entirety of the 2023 season, or the Steelers could release him with an injury settlement.

Graham suffered the injury on Saturday during the team’s 7-on-7 period. He rose up to make a grab and came directly down on his shoulder. Trainers immediately looked at it and Graham was carted to the locker room after suffering the injury. He was one of three new injuries the team suffered on Saturday.

Graham won the MEAC rushing title in 2022, rushing for 1150 yards and 8 touchdowns while earning first-team all-conference honors with his strong 2022 season. Starting out at Arizona Western, Graham has been all around the college football landscape, including at the JUCO level at Independence Community College. Then, he would transfer up to Fullerton College, but transferred for a third time during the COVID-19 pandemic after the college canceled their season.

Not only does Graham have experience as a receiver and running back, but Graham has been a kick returner for Morgan State, amassing over 300 kick return yards in 2021. He is only 5-foot-8, but Graham seems to have impressed coaches and received a contract as a result. The team signed Graham after a standout rookie minicamp.

To offset the loss of Graham, the Steelers signed former Detroit Lions running back Greg Bell and ex-Penn State rusher John Lovett.