Pittsburgh Steelers Recent Roster Moves: Official Announcements and Analysis
In the whirlwind of the 2025 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been active on the transaction wire, particularly in early November, as they navigate injuries, depth needs, and a push for playoff contention in the AFC North. With a record hovering around .500 amid quarterback transitions and defensive tweaks, the team has issued several concise official statements via their website and X (formerly Twitter) account. These announcements, typically handled by General Manager Omar Khan, reflect a
#### November 12, 2025: Activation and Releases for Depth
The Steelers’ most recent moves came on Wednesday, November 12, addressing quarterback stability and secondary reinforcements. The official statement read: “We have activated QB Will Howard to the Active Roster from the Reserve/Injured List, signed CB Asante Samuel Jr. to the Practice Squad, waived RB Trey Sermon from the Active Roster & released DB Darrick Forrest from the Practice Squad.” This transaction, sponsored by Bordas Law as per team custom, signals optimism around rookie QB Will Howard’s recovery from an early-season injury. Howard, a fourth-round pick out of Ohio State, had shown flashes in preseason but sat out the first half of the year.
The waiver of running back Trey Sermon, a depth piece acquired in free agency, frees up a roster spot amid Najee Harris’s heavy workload. Meanwhile, releasing safety Darrick Forrest—waived earlier by Washington—highlights ongoing flux in the defensive backfield, where injuries to Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joey Porter Jr. have strained resources. Signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., son of the former Pro Bowler and a 2021 second-rounder recently cut by the Chargers, adds intriguing upside. Samuel’s speed (4.41 40-yard dash) could bolster nickel packages, though his coverage inconsistencies (allowing a 65% completion rate last season) make this a low-risk practice squad gamble.
#### November 10, 2025: Safety Shuffle
Just two days prior, the team announced: “We have claimed S Sebastian Castro off waivers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and released S Juan Thornhill.” Thornhill, a high-priced free-agent signing from Cleveland in 2024, underperformed with coverage lapses (PFF grade of 58.2) and off-field whispers of locker-room friction. His release saves $7.2 million in cap space for 2025, per OverTheCap projections, allowing Pittsburgh to pivot to Castro—a hard-hitting undrafted free agent from Kansas who flashed in Tampa’s sub-packages. This move underscores Coach Mike Tomlin’s emphasis on “versatile football players” who fit the zone-heavy scheme.
#### November 4, 2025: Practice Squad Tweaks
Earlier in the week, the Steelers stated: “We have signed DB Daequan Hardy and LB Mark Robinson to the practice squad and released DE K.J. Henry and WR John Rhys Plumlee from the practice squad.” Plumlee, a converted quarterback from UCF signed as an
undrafted wideout, lasted just weeks before his release—echoing his journeyman path through Seattle and Jacksonville. Henry’s departure (a rotational edge rusher) clears space for Hardy, a Penn State product with special-teams value, and Robinson, a 2022 fifth-rounder waived by Philadelphia for character concerns but praised for blitzing instincts.
#### November 3, 2025: Slot Corner Cut
The week kicked off with a brief note: “We have released CB Beanie Bishop Jr. from the Practice Squad.” Bishop, an undrafted rookie from West Virginia who impressed in camp with slot coverage (sub-70% completion allowed), was exposed on waivers—potentially lost to a contender like the Jets.
