With Anthony McFarland Jr. (knee) on injured reserve for the next few weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers are signing running back Godwin Igwebuike from the Atlanta Falcons practice squad.
Buy Steelers TicketsThe #Steelers are signing RB Godwin Igwebuike of the #Falcons' practice squad, sources say. Anthony McFarland landed on IR the other day, so Pittsburgh was carrying only two backs on the active roster.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 20, 2023
Versus the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers elevated another former Falcon, Qadree Ollison. He signed to the practice squad on September 2 and reverted to the unit after playing solely on special teams (five snaps) but not recording a stat. If they like what they see in Igwebuike this week in practice, he could be elevated over Ollison versus the Las Vegas Raiders.
He also brings experience as a kick returner, something Pittsburgh desperately needs with Gunner Olszewski struggling with said duties and dealing with a concussion. Olszewski caught a kickoff that was headed out of bounds, placing them on the nine-yard line instead of the 40. He also didn’t signal a fair catch until after he caught it, as Mike Tomlin looked on in disgust.
In five games with the Seattle Seahawks last season, Igwebuike tallied 308 yards (28.0 average), including a career-high 50-yard return, on 11 kick returns.
Calvin Austin III filled in after Olszewski’s exit on Monday, but no one wants to double the risk of exposing him to injury since he’s already the team’s primary punt returner.
