Editor’s note: The Steelers cut Doran Grant in 2016. Click here for the story.
A day after cutting 18 players to get down to the NFL-mandated 43 man limit, the Pittsburgh Steelers made three more moves. The Steelers waived 4th round draft pick Doran Grant and 6th round draft pick Anthony Chickillo and signed defensive end Cashaud Lyons and running back Jordan Todman.
Steelers sign RB Jordan Todman, DE Caushaud Lyons to 53. Release 2 draft choices — CB Doran Grant, LB Anthony Chickillo.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) September 6, 2015
Although the Steelers cut Doran Grant and Anthony Chickillo to make room for the new arrivals, both could return to the Steelers via the practice squad should they clear waivers.
It is unusual by not unprecedented for the Steelers to cut a 4th round draft pick. The Steelers cut4th round pick Fred Gibson in 2005 and they also cut Danny Farmer in 2000 who was also a fourth round pick.
Cashaud Lyons is a 6-5, 295-pound rookie whom the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2015 NFL Draft. Lyons hails from Tusculum College which is the same Division II All-America from that produced Steelers 2004 second round flame-out Ricardo Colclough.
Last season Lyons set single-season school records for tackles (89) and tackles-for-loss (19) by a defensive lineman, and he ran a 4.86 40 with a 30.5 vertical jump and a 10-foot broad jump at his Pro Day. During preseason, Lyons logged 101 snaps for the Buccaneers recorded one sack, made four QB hits, created four QB hurries and had seven tackles, per Jim Wexell’s Steel City Insider.
Jordan Todman entered the NFL in 2011 as a 6th round pick of the San Diego Chargers. He made the Chargers final cut and dressed for one game, but was cut and landed in Minnesota. The Vikings cut him, but Todman landed a roster spot with Jacksonville, where he saw playing time in 2013 and 2014 as a back up, putting up a respectable 4.1 yards per carry average.
Todman spent the 2015 training camp with the Carolina Panthers, and scored on a 49 yard touchdown in the preseason finale in a play which just might have led to Shamarko Thomas getting benched.
Pouncey to Injured Reserve Designated Return, Legursky Back
The Pittsburgh Steelers placed starting center Maurkice Pouncey on the injured reserve designated return list and resigned Doug Legursky. While the move is hardly a surprise, there was some speculation that the Steelers would wait until after Thursday night’s opener vs. the Patriots to avoid being on the hook for the balance of Doug Legursky’s salary.
The Steelers clear want Doug Legursky to be ready to hike the ball to Ben Roethlisberger should anything happen to Cody Wallace. Smart move on their part.
