Steelers Waive TE Xavier Grimble from IR with Settlement

The Steelers released tight end Xavier Grimble from their injured reserve with an injury settlement on Friday, according to the NFL transactions page, ending his association with the team.

Grimble had signed a one-year, $2.025 million contact as a restricted free agent this offseason and was expected to spend the 2019 season as the top backup to starter Vance McDonald.

But both McDonald and Grimble were injured in the Steelers’ Week 3 loss to the San Francisco 49ers and Grimble (calf) was placed on the injured reserve to make room for tight end Nick Vannett, who was acquired from the Seattle Seahawks.

Grimble was set to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Being waived from the practice squad means that if he recovers enough to play again this season, he is free to sign with another team.

The Steelers originally signed Grimble to a reserve-futures contract in 2016. In 47 career games with the team, he had 23 catcher for 239 yards and three touchdowns.

Vannett started for the Steelers in Week 4 against Cincinnati. McDonald (shoulder) is questionable to return Sunday against Baltimore.