There has been some speculation about whether the Pittsburgh Steelers would make a roster move on their day off on Thursday. The expectation was if they made a move, it would be at the tight end position.
After Dax Raymond injured his ankle earlier in the week, and the Steelers worked a tight end yesterday, the thought was that if a move were made, it would be in that position.
Think again.
The Steelers are likely to sign wide receiver and returning man Ray-Ray McCloud. This per Tom Pelissero from the NFL Network:
The key aspect of this transaction for the Steelers is how the team feels they need help from the broad receiver / return specialist. The team currently has Kerrith Whyte Jr., Diontae Johnson, Ryan Switzer and even JuJu Smith-Schuster who all have experience returning both points and kickoffs.
There could have been an injury to a player who strained this move, but now it’s time to learn more about the player the Steelers are likely to take over.
McCloud is a fast receiver who has also doubled as a return specialist, and has spent the majority of his professional career with the Buffalo Bills. However, he had a stint with the Carolina Panthers in 2019 before he was cut.
McCloud was drafted in the 6th round from Clemson in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. Playing in 10 games, McCloud had 5 catches for 36 yards his rookie season along with 4 point rebounds and one kickoff return.
After his second training camp with Buffalo, McCloud did not make the 53-man roster and was claimed by the Carolina Panthers of exemptions. In 6 games, McCloud had no goals as a receiver, but had 10 point returns as well as 8 kickoff returns. Released in October of 2019, McCloud joined the Bills on the training team for the rest of the season. Signing a futures contract with Buffalo by 2020, McCloud was released at the end of January when the Bills reduced to 80 players.
UPDATE
To make room for McCloud on the team roster, they parted ways with former Penn State receiver Saeed Blacknall.
Be sure to keep up to date on BTSC as the latest news and notes around the team, as they continue to roll through Training Camp at Heinz Field and prepare for the regular 2020 season.
