Steelers cut ties with explosive wide receiver

The Steelers have released former Tennesse Titans and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jacob Copeland to their practice squad, the team announced on Monday. That move comes after the team signed Trace McSorely to the practice squad after Kenny Pickett’s injury.

The Steelers still boast three wide receivers on their practice squad currently in Denzel Mims, Deuce Watts, and Dez Fitzpatrick.

This releases comes after the attrition with Pickett, who will miss multiple weeks. Mike Tomlin noted that the injury is not season-ending, but that Pickett will miss multiple weeks and Thursday Night’s game against the Patriots.

A 5-foot-11, 201-pound Maryland alum, Copeland attended the East-West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Combine in the pre-draft process, where the Steelers scouted him heavily. Area scout Mike Butler was also at his Pro Day.

He turned in an excelled Relative Athletic Score of 8.19, showing excellent straight-line speed (4.42-second 40-yard dash) and explosiveness (10-foot-7 broad jump) but below-average agility (4.47-second short shuttle). 

Copeland signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent, but was waived at the start of training camp on Aug. 2. He then signed with the Minnesota Vikings, but was released on cut-down day on Aug. 29. He had a previous stint with the Steelers, but was released by the team after just a few weeks.