Buffalo Bills tight end Quintin Morris, right, catches a pass with Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. (37) defending during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)AP
The Pittsburgh Steelers are re-signing cornerback Thomas Graham to the practice squad, the team announced. Graham lost the slot cornerback battle to undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop, who made the 53-man roster. Graham, instead, will provide quality slot cornerback depth from the practice squad.
He is one of three cornerbacks to return to the Steelers, including Anthony Averett and Zyon Gilbert. However, Graham is the only one who can play in the slot. He started two games in the slot during the preseason and his ball skills were impressive enough to catch the eye of defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.
“Some good things. I thought Thomas [Graham Jr.] has gotten better,” Austin said. “He’s gotten a little bit more comfortable. And when I say comfortable in terms of what I mean, it is in terms of our system and what he’s doing. And so, he’s playing faster as the camp has gone. So I like what he’s done.”
The former sixth-round pick out of Oregon got a second lease on NFL life this offseason when the Steelers signed him. Previously with the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns, Graham suffered a severe high ankle sprain that forced him to miss the 2023 season. He was cleared late in the season and earned a contract with the Steelers due to his tryout.
Now, Graham is back in an NFL locker room, and while he did not make the final 53-man roster, Graham is one injury away from being thrust right back into action in the slot.
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