The Steelers announced Thursday they've placed Calvin Austin III and Damontae Kazee on the Reserve/Injured List.
Kazee's trip to IR was not a surprise. He injured his wrist in the preseason finale against the Lions, and isn't expected to return for at least another four to six weeks.
There was speculation Austin may avoid a trip to IR, though he missed all of the preseason with a foot injury. He was trending in the right direction in his recovery, but the writing was on the wall when the Steelers kept seven receivers on Tuesday's initial 53-man roster.
If either Kazee or Austin were placed on IR prior to Tuesday's final roster cut, neither would be eligible to return this season. With the Steelers initially putting them on the 53-man roster, now both players can return after a minimum of four games. The first game of eligibility for Austin and Kazee will be when the Steelers travel to Buffalo in Week 5.
To supplement the 53-man roster, the Steelers re-signed Marcus Allen and Trent Scott. Allen provides depth at inside linebacker and gives the Steelers a valuable player on special teams. Scott originally signed a one-year contract with the Steelers this offseason, and is now back to deepen the offensive line.
In another 53-man roster move, the Steelers claimed LB Jamir Jones off waivers from the Jaguars. To make room on the roster, Pittsburgh released Derrek Tuszka.
This is Jones' second stint with Pittsburgh. He recorded three tackles in three games with the Steelers last season, but was ultimately released and finished 2021 with the Jaguars after a short stint with the Rams.
• The Steelers also announced Thursday three more signings for the practice squad: DB Mark Gilbert, LB Chapelle Russell and TE Justin Rigg.
Gilbert previously spent part of the 2021 season with the Steelers, and worked out this preseason with the Lions. Gilbert initially signed as an undrafted free agent with Pittsburgh last season, then went on to play in eight games with the Lions in 2021. He finished the year with three tackles and a forced fumble, which happened come in the Week 10 tie with Pittsburgh.
Russell, a seventh-round pick by the Buccaneers in the 2020 NFL Draft, played in 16 games with the Jaguars last season. He started one of those games, and racked up 14 total tackles on the season.
Rigg played with the Bengals during the preseason after signing with them as an undrafted free agent. He played college football at the University of Kentucky, setting a school record for games played (63).
