Contrary to reports from multiple NFL insiders, the Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t signed veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. But the Steelers have signed safety Darrick Forrest.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday the Steelers signed Forrest to their practice squad. The signing came a little more than an hour after Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters starting safety DeShon Elliott would miss Week 9 because of a knee injury.
Tomlin referred to Elliott as week-to-week in his Tuesday press conference.
“Former Commanders safety Darrick Forrest is signing with the Steelers practice squad, per source,” Pelissero wrote on X. “Forrest has played in 40 career games (17 starts). Some depth amidst injuries on the back end.”
The then Washington Football Team drafted Forrest in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He appeared in eight games for Washington as a rookie and then started 11 contests during his second season.
In 2022, Forrest posted 88 combined tackles, nine pass defenses and four interceptions while playing in all 17 games.
Forrest also appeared in 15 contests for Washington over the 2023-24 seasons. In 40 career games, he has registered 137 combined tackles, nine pass defenses and four picks.
Along with the Forrest signing, TribLive.com’s Joe Rutter reported Tuesday the Steelers released running back Raheem Blackshear and linebacker Jacoby Windmon from the practice squad.
Just before Pelissero reported the Steelers were signing Forrest, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported the team is expected to sign Valdes-Scantling next week.
Multiple insiders, including ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, reported Monday night the Steelers planned to sign the veteran wideout before their Week 9 matchup on November 2.
Steelers Sign Safety Darrick Forrest: Report
The Steelers may have avoided the worst with Elliott’s injury.
Fowler tweeted Monday night the fear in the Pittsburgh organization was the safety suffered a season-ending knee injury during Week 8. However, Tomlin cast doubt over whether Elliott would even land on injured reserve with the ailment.
Tomlin, though, did rule out Elliott for Week 9.
At the end of his press conference Tuesday, Tomlin stated the team was working out veteran safeties Vonn Bell and Eddie Jackson. The Steelers could always still sign either of those two defensive backs. But the team has first added Forrest.
Ironically, Forrest began the regular season on the Indianapolis Colts practice squad. The Steelers will host the Colts in Week 9 on Sunday.
Forrest spent Week 1 on the Indianapolis practice squad. The team then released Forrest less than a week after signing him.
The safety was with the Buffalo Bills in training camp.
Forrest played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats. He registered 200 combined tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions and six pass defenses in 49 career games.
Steelers Haven’t Signed WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling?
It was never announced as official, but because it was widely reported Monday night by reliable sources, Valdes-Scantling landing with the Steelers appeared to be a done deal.
NFL and Steelers insiders made a right turn on that report after Tomlin’s press conference Tuesday. Tomlin suggested the team hosted Valdes-Scantling for a workout Monday, which was also widely reported in the NFL media. But Tomlin implied he hadn’t been signed.
“If we sign him, you’ll hear about it,” said Tomlin on Valdes-Scantling.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac didn’t specifically mention Valdes-Scantling on Tuesday. But like Schultz, Dulac indirectly reported the Steelers wouldn’t be signing the veteran receiver before Week 9.
“FYI don’t look for any WR signings by the Steelers this week,” wrote Dulac on social media.
The Steelers have been linked to Valdes-Scantling, who played four years with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, since August. But for now, he’s not joining the black and gold.
Steelers Add Ex-Starting Safety With DeShon Elliott Out; WR Signing on Hold: Reports