Ahead of their impending trip to the west coast and match up with the defending NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks, the Pittsburgh Steelers did some roster shuffling. Thin depth behind starting running back DeAngelo Williams, saw the Steelers activate Fitzgerald Toussaint from their practice squad and cut running back Isaiah Pead.
- Jordan Todman will remain the primary back up behind DeAngelo Williams.
Fitzgerald Toussaint has been on the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad all season long, where as the Steelers signed Isaiah Pead after losing Le’Veon Bell to a torn MCL which he suffered in the Steelers loss at Heinz Field to AFC North divisional rival Cincinnati Bengals.
Fitzgerald Toussaint made his entry into the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent signed by the Baltimore Ravens following the 2014 NFL Draft. Fitzgerald Toussaint played his college ball for the Michigan Wolverines. At Ann Arbor had 510 career carries for 2,290 yards for a 4.5 average while scoring 28 rushing touchdowns. Toussaint also caught 31 passes for 298 yards (9.6 average) at Michigan.
The Baltimore Ravens kept Fitzgerald Toussaint on their active roster throughout 2014, where the rookie saw action in four games gaining 12 yards on six carries and made 3 catches for 27 yards. He also suited up for both of the Baltimore Ravens 2014 playoff games, rushing twice for 5 yards and catching one pass for negative 7 yards. Toussaint did not have a carry for Baltimore in the Ravens playoff win vs. the Steelers.
Steelers Protecting Against Practice Squad Poaching?
While this is only speculation on the Steel Curtain Rising’s part, the recent season-end injury to Justin Forsett could have renewed the Ravens interest in Fitzgerald Toussaint, prompting the Steelers to activate him. When the Steelers activated Doran Grant, Neal Coolong of Steelers Wire suggested the Steelers were promoting the cornerback keep another team from signing him.
- Last year the Steelers lost two defensive lineman to practice squad poaching.
First Pittsburgh West, aka the Arizona Cardinals signed defensive end Josh Mauro, and a few weeks later the Kansas City Chiefs signed nose tackle Nick Williams. Mauro only appeared in 1 game in 2014, but has played in 10 games for the Cardinals in 2015. Nicholas Williams played in two games in 2014 for the Chiefs, and has appeared in nine thus far in 2015.
