The Steelers agreed to make another depth signing Thursday night, adding journeyman tight end MyCole Pruitt.
A 6-foot-2, 245-pounder entering his 10th NFL season, Pruitt is another veteran with a connection to first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Pruitt played for the Titans from 2018-21 — three of those seasons with Smith on the coaching staff and two when he was the play-caller — and then for the Falcons the past two years with Smith as head coach.
Pruitt is signing a one-year deal that will not cost the team anything if he doesn’t make the team.
Coming out of Southern Illinois, Pruitt was a 2015 fifth-round pick of the Vikings. He’s been more of a blocker than a pass-catcher at every stop, topping out with 16 catches for 150 yards and four touchdowns in 2022.
At 32 years old, Pruitt is likely to compete for a roster spot with backup tight ends Connor Heyward and Rodney Williams. He had 110 receiving yards and one touchdown last season on nine catches while playing 36% of the snaps for Atlanta. Pruitt also played 122 snaps on special teams, so he could be a versatile piece to have around.
The Steelers now have brought in three of Smith’s former offensive players from Tennessee or Atlanta in Pruitt, running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson and wide receiver Van Jefferson. All three provide experience but aren’t likely to be frequent contributors on offense.
Also Thursday the Steelers cut running back Alfonzo Graham, who hurt his right shoulder last year in training camp after being signed as an undrafted tryout player and was waived/injured. He reverted to injured reserve and has been waived outright now.
The Steelers did announce jersey numbers for their newest signings:
No. 2 — Quarterback Justin Fields
No. 3 — Quarterback Russell Wilson
No. 4 — Quarterback Kyle Allen
No. 5 — Punter Cameron Johnston
No. 6 — Linebacker Patrick Queen
No. 11 — Wide receiver Van Jefferson
No. 16 — Wide receiver Quez Watkins
No. 25 — Safety DeShon Elliott
No. 26 — Cornerback Donte Jackson
No. 84 — Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson
No. 94 — Defensive lineman Dean Lowry
Brian Batko: bbatko@post-gazette.com and @BrianBatko on X
First Published: April 5, 2024, 1:36 p.m.
Updated: April 5, 2024, 6:23 p.m.