The Pittsburgh Steelers have waived safety Trenton Thompson, the team announced on Wednesday.
Thompson, 26, first joined the Steelers last August during training camp, and played well when called upon last season as the club went through an unprecedented stretch of injuries at the safety position.
Thompson played in six games for the Steelers last season and started one. He recorded 22 tackles, three passes defended and one interception, before he also suffered an injury, a major neck ailment, causing him to miss the last three games of the regular season and the playoff game.
The recovery was lengthy, stretching into the offseason. Thompson told Steelers Now earlier this year that he chose not to have surgery on the injury.
“Yeah, I went non-surgical,” Thompson said. “Personally, I wasn’t feeling surgery. Doctors also said it didn’t look like I needed it. I also had conversations with Micah Hyde throughout the offseason, because he was the only person that I could talk to that related to the injury. And he recommended I don’t (get surgery) unless the pain is too severe.”
Thompson was a regular participant in the team’s OTAs and minicamp practice sessions this spring. It’s unclear if his release is related to his injury.
The Steelers have been using rookie sixth round draft pick Ryan Watts at strong safety, in addition to Thompson, behind starter DeShon Elliott and special teams captain Miles Killebrew. Jalen Elliott can also play both safety spots.
In addition to Thompson, the club also announced the release of wide receiver Denzel Mims, which was first reported on Tuesday. No corresponding moves were made.