Steelers Promote Isaiah Green, Release Shayne Graham

Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

According to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ official Twitter page, the franchise made the following roster moves earlier today:

The moves themselves are pretty easy to understand.  As far as Shayne Graham is concerned, his time with the Steelers officially ended when Shaun Suisham nailed his field goal attempt of 44 yards last night against the Bengals.  After that particular kick, it looked like Suisham’s recent hamstring injury did not bother him too much, and Graham was no longer needed around for insurance purposes.  If Suisham’s hamstring flares up again however, then the Steelers will likely try to re-sign Graham if he hasn’t already been inked by another team.

Graham’s release opened the door for cornerback Isaiah Green who has been on-and-off Pittsburgh’s 53-man roster and their practice squad during the last few weeks.  Green actually made the Steelers 53-man roster after the conclusion of the preseason, but he was released in favor of Antwon Blake only shortly afterwards.  Still intrigued by the former Fresno State Bulldog, Pittsburgh re-signed Green to their practice squad later that week after he cleared the waiver wire.

The Steelers could stand to use some extra depth on their 53-man roster right now, especially with Cortez Allen hobbled by his ankle injury.  While the Steelers do have safeties who can play cornerback in the forms of Robert Golden and Shamarko Thomas, the depth at cornerback behind the team’s starters consists of Curtis Brown and Blake.  Thus, the addition of Green for depth and special teams help makes sense.

Stats & Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com and Pro Football Reference

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