Tuesday’s “First Call” has some Pittsburgh Steelers roster news. The team’s first opponent just signed a former Steelers pass catcher. One of Brandon Aiyuk’s teammates is holding out hope for a contract resolution with the 49ers in San Francisco.
We also have an interesting scouting report on a specific attribute of new Pirate Nick Yorke that may allow him to work out well in Pittsburgh.
Quick decision
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, the Steelers are already saying goodbye to one of their defensive backs. It’s cornerback Josiah Scott.
#Steelers have released defensive back Josiah Scott, per source. Four-year vet spent time with Philly and Pittsburgh last season.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 30, 2024
The 25-year-old Michigan State product was placed on the Steelers practice squad coming out of training camp last year. He was scooped up by the Philadelphia Eagles in October, but then came back to the Steelers in January.
Scott was perceived as a challenger for the vacant slot corner job. But many of those first-team reps have been soaked up by undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop Jr. and safety DeShon Elliott.
Initially drafted by the Jaguars in 2020, Scott has played in 39 NFL games between Jacksonville and Philly. He has two interceptions.
Washington in Atlanta
An upcoming Steelers opponent has acquired a wide receiver who used to wear the Black and Gold.
The Atlanta Falcons — who host the Steelers in Week 1 — are signing James Washington. That’s according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
The #Falcons are signing veteran WR James Washington, sources say. Washington had 114 catches for 1,629 yards and 11 TDs over four years with the #Steelers (2018-21), the last two of which he was coached by Ike Hilliard, now Atlanta’s WR coach. pic.twitter.com/FvbJCTIDKq
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 29, 2024
The former Oklahoma State Cowboy played in Pittsburgh from 2018-21. He had 114 catches for 1,629 yards and 11 TDs during that time.
After leaving the Steelers, the 28-year-old former second-round draft pick went to the Dallas Cowboys. He played two games for them, but most of his time in Dallas was hampered by a foot fracture he suffered during training camp in 2022. He also latched on briefly with the Giants, Saints and Colts but never played.
In Atlanta, Washington will reunite with former Steelers wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard, who holds that same position with the Falcons.
Samuel sees a way
At least one person is confident the 49ers will work out a contract extension with Brandon Aiyuk. It’s fellow San Francisco receiver Deebo Samuel.
He’s got a good perspective on it, having gone through a similar negotiation with the franchise two years ago.
“You want to be out here with your guys, and want to be out here practicing,” Samuel told the NFL Network Monday, via 49erswebzone.com. “But overall, you want what you deserve. So, at the end of the day, something has to give; something has to work out. But I feel like something’s going to happen, hopefully.”
Aiyuk is currently conducting a hold-in with the team. He is present but not practicing in full. The former first-round draft choice is scheduled to earn $14.1 million this season on his fifth-year option. However, he’s looking for longer-term security.
“Overall, it’s a tough situation,” Samuel said. “Going through it in (2022), it’s just some things you take personal that don’t need to be taken personal. Overall, it’s just a stressful process because, at the end of the day, you want what you think you deserve, and your team has to work with this team, and it’s so much back-and-forth.”
Aiyuk has frequently been mentioned as a potential trade target for the Steelers if San Francisco can’t get a deal done.
More sports
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• Pirates sign 2nd-round pick Wyatt Sanford, as prep shortstop receives $2.5 million bonus
Good fit
Alex Speier of the Boston Globe joined the “Breakfast With Benz” podcast Monday. He likes Nick Yorke’s potential fit with the Pirates once he gets called up to the Major Leagues.
Yorke was acquired by the Pirates from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Quinn Priester on Monday morning.
“He’s a talented line drive hitter,” Speier said. “I feel like PNC Park plays really well to right-hand hitters who can who can hit the ball with authority to right center. That’s kind of the baseline of Nick Yorke’s approach. He is a right-center to left field line drive hitter.”
At Triple-A Worcester, Yorke was batting .310/.408/.490 with eight doubles, six home runs and 19 RBIs in 38 games.
“He tried to tweak his swing a little bit last year in order to get more launch on the ball. That wasn’t really his thing. He returned to his true calling this year as a line drive, right-center to left field guy who looks like he should have an above average hit tool in the big leagues,” Speier continued.
Yorke plays second base and left field. He has been assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis.
