The Pittsburgh Steelers officially added safety Jabrill Peppers to their active roster Wednesday. But that transaction, which NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday, was hardly the only move the Steelers made. The team also announced several other shifts with their roster, including quarterback Skylar Thompson landing on injured reserve.
To replace Thompson, the Steelers signed veteran signal-caller Logan Woodside. However, the team added Woodside to the practice squad, not the active 53-man roster.
The Steelers appear to be planning to enter Week 2 with two quarterbacks on the active roster.
In addition Thompson, the team placed linebacker Malik Harrison on injured reserve. Peppers and cornerback James Pierre will replace Thompson and Harrison on the 53-man roster.
The Steelers signed Pierre off their practice squad. Woodside is taking Pierre’s vacant practice squad spot.
The team announced all the roster moves on social media.
Woodside is back with the Steelers after spending the preseason with the team. He played for the Atlanta Falcons from 2022-23 when offensive coordinator Arthur Smith was the Atlanta head coach.
The Steelers released Woodside as part of their summer roster cuts on August 22.
The team placed Thompson on injured reserve with a hamstring issue. Thompson was limited in practice and officially questionable for Week 1.
Steelers Place Skylar Thompson on IR, Sign Logan Woodside
Just two weeks ago, the Steelers had four quarterbacks on their active roster. Now, they have two.
Thompson joined Will Howard as injured signal-callers in Pittsburgh. NFL rules require players to spend a minimum of four games on injured reserve when placed on IR. So, the earliest either of those quarterbacks could return is Week 6 (the Steelers have a Week 5 bye week).
Howard could return in Week 6 while Thompson is eligible to be activated for Week 7.
But over the next three weeks before the bye, the Steelers could roll with only Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph as their active quarterbacks.
The other possibility is a practice squad elevation for Woodside. The Steelers could elevate him from the practice squad to serve as the team’s emergency No. 3 quarterback.
Woodside has appeared in 13 NFL regular season games for the Falcons and Tennessee Titans during his career. With Smith in Atlanta, he appeared in one game during 2022 and another in 2023.
Woodside has not attempted a pass in an NFL regular season contest. In two preseason appearance for the Steelers this year, Woodside went 8-for-15 (53.3%) with 83 passing yards and an interception.
Steelers Sign James Pierre, Place Malik Harrison on IR
As pundits discussed on Tuesday, the Steelers added Peppers to replace injured safety DeShon Elliott. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Elliott “is expected to miss a couple weeks” because of an MCL sprain.
Pierre will also add secondary depth. While he doesn’t play the same position as Harrison, Pierre will help replace the linebacker on special teams as well.
The Steelers used a practice squad elevation on Pierre for Week 1. On Sunday, all 11 of Pierre’s snaps came on special teams.
Pierre had a brief stint with the Washington Commanders last year, but the veteran cornerback has never played for another NFL team in the regular season. In 82 games with the Steelers, Pierre has posted 117 combined tackles, 11 pass defenses and three interceptions.
Last season, Pierre started two contests. He had 23 combined tackles, three pass defenses, two forced fumbles and an interception.
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