LATROBE, Pa. -- The Steelers made some minor roster moves Thursday, signing tight end Micky Crum and linebacker Christian Kuntz.
To make room for the new arrivals, the team cut linebacker JT Jones and cornerback Jermaine Ponder.
The Steelers announced the moves via their official Twitter account:
We have signed TE Micky Crum & LB Christian Kuntz.
We have released LB JT Jones & CB Jermaine Ponder.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 15, 2019
Crum, 23, an undrafted free agent out of Louisville, originally signed a deal with the 49ers before getting cut. As a redshirt senior, Crum hauled in 22 catches for 224 in 12 games.
Kuntz, 25, meanwhile, has a bit more experience at the NFL level. A former Duquesne Duke, Kuntz has spent time with the Patriots, Broncos and Jaguars since graduating in 2016. Most recently, Kuntz served as a long snapper on the Broncos practice squad. At Duquesne, Kuntz was a three-time All-American and the 2016 Northeast Conference defensive player of the year.
On the flip side, the Steelers have cut ties with Jones and Ponder, with the former coming as a bit of a surprise. Jones has shown flashes throughout OTAs and training camp, and he registered two tackles and one-half sack in the Steelers' 30-28 preseason victory against the Buccaneers. The team, however, is loaded at linebacker, and Jones was the odd man out when they decided to bring in Crum and Kuntz.
Ponder also suited up for the Steelers' 2019 preseason debut at Heinz Field, although his name did not appear on the stat sheet by game's end. Considered a long shot to make the Steelers' roster from the jump, Ponder will now search for an NFL opportunity elsewhere.
