There was another bit of Pittsburgh Steelers news on Monday, October 6, as ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the team is “signing” veteran running back Raheem Blackshear ahead of Week 6.
This will be a practice squad signing, per Schefter, and the insider also noted Blackshear’s specific expertise as a kick returner.
Pittsburgh has tried out a few different running backs on kick returns in 2025, starting with rookie Kaleb Johnson. That experiment didn’t go very well, however, as Johnson coughed up a crucial fumble and only averaged 23.8 yards per return.
Veterans Kenneth Gainwell and Trey Sermon have chipped in for slightly better averages of 25.8 and 25.5 yards, respectively, but Gainwell has become a big part of the offense, and Sermon only has one practice squad elevation remaining.
For this reason, don’t be surprised if we see Blackshear elevated from the practice squad in a couple of weeks. With the Carolina Panthers, Blackshear averaged 26.3 yards per kick return from 2022 through 2024.
As an added bonus, Blackshear also has some experience returning punts, with 23 career returns for an average of 8.7 yards and a 21-yard long. This could be helpful as wide receiver and punt returner Calvin Austin III works his way back from injury.
Blackshear was the second Steelers practice squad signing on Monday, October 6, and there was also a key injury update on cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and edge rusher Alex Highsmith.
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