Former Penn State QB Signed by Steelers to Practice Squad
The Pittsburgh Steelers added former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley to their practice squad on December 4.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without former Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett because of injury for at least Week 14. However, the Steelers added a second signal caller on December 4th, this one from a well-liked local college football team.
On December 4, the Steelers revealed that they had acquired Trace McSorley, a former Penn State quarterback. Adam Schefter of ESPN was the first to report on the change.
“The Steelers are adding free-agent quarterback Trace McSorley to their practice squad, per source, with Kenny Pickett undergoing ankle surgery this morning,” Schefter said on X (previously Twitter).
To create place for McSorley on their practice squad, the Steelers also cut loose wide receiver Jacob Copeland.
McSorley was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. In the 2019 and 2020 seasons, he appeared in three games for the Ravens.
During the 2022 season, McSorley made his one and only NFL start for the Arizona Cardinals.
During his four seasons at Penn State, McSorley completed 46 collegiate games with 9,899 yards, 77 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions.
QB Trace McSorley is signed by the Steelers to the practice squad.
The Steelers will continue their goal of fielding three healthy quarterbacks for each game this season with the addition of McSorley.
Ironically, a significant portion of McSorley’s little NFL experience was earned in Baltimore, where he faced the Steelers.
Against the Steelers in Week 17 of the 2019 NFL regular season, McSorley makes his debut. On his lone snap, he ran one yard.
Then, in 2020, after COVID-19 destroyed the Ravens, McSorley took Robert Griffin III’s place due to an injury. Only two of McSorley’s six throws were completed, but one of them was for a 70-yard score.
The Cardinals signed McSorley from the Ravens practice squad halfway through the 2021 campaign. He made his debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16 of 2022.
In a 19-16 loss, McSorley completed 24 of 45 passes for 217 passing yards and one interception.
In his nine NFL games, McSorley has thrown for 502 yards on 51.6% of his passes, one touchdown, and five interceptions.
McSorley spent 2023 with the practice squads of the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots before signing with the Steelers.
This season, the Steelers have used three quarterbacks when playing on game days due to the NFL’s new third-quarterback rule. However, McSorley would need to be on the active roster for the Steelers to be able to play as a third quarterback in Week 14.
QB Kenny Pickett of the Steelers is not placed on injured reserve.
Placing Pickett on injured reserve would be a natural move for the Steelers to do if they want McSorley ready in Week 14. McSorley would then have a position on the roster.
However, Pickett would then be unable to return to action until Week 18. A player placed on injured reserve is required to remain there for at least four games.
The Steelers had not placed Pickett on injured reserve despite his December 4 ankle surgery.
Following the Cardinals’ 24-10 victory, Gerry Dulac of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette revealed that Pickett will be sidelined for two to four weeks.
“UPDATE: According to sources, Kenny Pickett is expected to miss two to four weeks of work following surgery on his injured ankle on Monday,” tweeted Dulac.
The Steelers seem to be hoping that Pickett, who is 25 years old, will be able to return sooner rather than later given that he is not on injured reserve at this moment.
On Thursday, December 7, the Patriots and Steelers will play. The Steelers will then visit the Indianapolis Colts following a ten-day break.
