Steelers Trim Roster Down To 53 Players

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Quarterback Paxton Lynch’s NFL odyssey might have to continue somewhere other than Pittsburgh. The Steelers cut the former first-round pick on Saturday while trimming their roster to 53 players. Lynch, taken 26th overall by Denver in 2016, signed with Pittsburgh last October to provide some depth. There is a chance Lynch sticks around as a member of the practice squad if he is not claimed by another team. Pittsburgh also cut wide receiver Ryan Switzer, opting to stick with free agent Ray-Ray McLoud instead.  The Steelers also parted ways with longtime defensive tackle Dan McCullers. A sixth-round pick in 2014, the massive McCullers (6-foot-7, 352 pounds), carved out a niche as a backup but struggled to get into the regular defensive line rotation. Pittsburgh also cut linebackers Tuzar Skipper and Jayrone Elliott, both of whom had experience with the team. Running backs Trey Edmunds, brother of Steelers starting safety Terrell Edmunds, Kerrith Whyte Jr., and Wendell Smallwood were also released. Finding a roster spot on a team with experience at nearly every position during a camp in which there were no preseason games due to the COVID-19 pandemic was difficult. Yet rookie free agent cornerback James Pierre from Florida Atlantic earned a job. So did well-traveled defensive back Curtis Riley. Signed on Aug. 3, Riley had an impressive showing during camp, his No. 33 visible regularly. The Steelers open the 2020 season on Monday, Sept. 14 on the road against the New York Giants.