Steelers Sign DeMarcus Van Dyke, Release Isaiah Green
Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports
According to multiple media outlets, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke earlier today:
Signing CB DeMarcus Van Dyke more of a hedge against Ike (concussion) being unavailable than any big attempt to fix @Steelers secondary
— Bob Labriola (@BobLabriola) November 5, 2013
#Steelers sign CB DeMarcus Van Dyke after working him out today.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) November 5, 2013
Steelers bring back CB DeMarcus Van Dyke, hurt during camp, and release CB Isaiah Green.
— Alan Robinson (@alanrobinson412) November 5, 2013
Obviously recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered during training camp, Van Dyke will likely see much of his action on special teams like he did during his first season with the Steelers in 2012. As Labriola alluded to as well, Van Dyke is probably also back for “emergency purposes” in case Taylor’s concussion keeps him sidelined for an extended period.
I will say that Van Dyke has a tremendous opportunity to rise up Pittsburgh’s depth chart at cornerback though. With Taylor, William Gay, and Cortez Allen as the top three, Curtis Brown a healthy scratch for three straight weeks, and Antwon Blake a special teams-only guy, the former Miami Hurricane could rise to as high as the second-team if he impresses enough.
To make room for Van Dyke, Pittsburgh once again released Isaiah Green from their 53-man roster. With an open spot on their practice squad though, Green could be re-signed by the Steelers if he makes it through the waiver wire unclaimed. I certainly would not disagree with such a move, and it never hurts to have developmental depth at such an important position.
Stats & Contract Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com , Spotrac, and Pro Football Reference
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