Roster

Pittsburgh WR Antonio Brown posted five receptions for 70 yards during the Steelers' 29-23 loss to Denver in the AFC Wild Card Playoff on Sunday. Brown, who has made the playoffs during both of his season in the NFL, continued to be heavily targeted in the passing game and registered seven looks from QB Ben Roethlisberger. Sunday's outing was the fourth time in his last five games he finished with at least five catches.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall is running as he works his way back from a torn ACL, but that he said he has no timetable for his return. He claims he feels good and is doing more than straight-line runs. Mendenhall tore his right ACL in early January; recovery time for such injuries is anywhere from nine months to a year. "I'll be back at some point," he said. "It's just a matter of what point that is."

Knee - Doubtful for start of regular season

The Steelers released 21 players on Friday, reducing their roster to 58 players. The 21 players released included linebackers Baraka Atkins, Mario Harvey, Chris McCoy and Mortty Ivy, defensive lineman Corbin Bryant, defensive backs Brett Greenwood, Macho Harris, Donovan Warren and Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith, running backs James Johnson and John Clay, offensive linemen Colin Miller, Kyle Jolly, John Malecki, Trevis Turner and Keith Williams, wide receivers Armand Robinson, Wes Lyons and Tyler Grisham, tight end Jamie McCoy and kicker Swayze Waters.

Steelers LB James Harrison notches his ninth sack of the season in Week 16 against the Rams. Harrison finished with four tackles -- all solo -- in the 27-0 contest. He now has 56 tackles on the season.

According to running back Isaac Redman, David Johnson is being moved from tight end to fullback this season. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Redman broke the news, adding that Johnson has been attending running back meetings and not tight end meetings.

The Steelers took Colorado wide receiver Toney Clemons, a Pittsburgh native, with a seventh-round pick in the NFL Draft. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Clemons wouldn't have had a chance at being drafted if not for a strong college finish. He had 25 catches, 476 yards and five touchdowns in his final five games. Receivers coach Scottie Montgomery said the tape of Clemons' final games convinced him he was worth taking. It "really showed him to be a productive receiver," Montgomery said. "He has a unique combination of size and speed."

The Steelers announced on Wednesday that they signed rookie DB Cortez Allen to a contract. The terms of the deal were not announced.

The Steelers signed six players to reserve/future contracts Friday, with some intriguing names joining the roster. QB Troy Smith and WR Derrick Williams are two notable players, each of whom played elsewhere in the league. Smith started a handful of games just last year with the Niners and spent some time as a backup in Baltimore. Williams, a former Penn State player, was originally a draft choice of the Lions. Others signed are CB Walter McFadden, WR Tyler Beiler, WR David Gilreath and WR Jimmy Young.

The Steelers signed six players to reserve/future contracts Friday, with some intriguing names joining the roster. QB Troy Smith and WR Derrick Williams are two notable players, each of whom played elsewhere in the league. Smith started a handful of games just last year with the Niners and spent some time as a backup in Baltimore. Williams, a former Penn State player, was originally a draft choice of the Lions. Others signed are CB Walter McFadden, WR Tyler Beiler, WR David Gilreath and WR Jimmy Young.

At one point in time, TE Weslye Saunders was talked about as a potential first-round draft pick, but ultimately, a foot injury and a troubled reputation caused him to go unselected in 2010. He landed in Pittsburgh and started six of 16 games this season, catching four passes for 29 yards and a touchdown. Now, he’s apparently landed in more trouble, as Scout.com is reporting that Saunders has been suspended for the first four games of 2012. At this point, it’s unclear why Saunders has been suspended, but he’s had character concerns going back to his days at the University of South Carolina. During his senior year, he was suspended before the season began and then was kicked off the squad completely in mid-September 2010.

The Steelers announced the signings of tight end Wes Lyons and fullback Will Johnson to their offseason roster. Lyons (6-foot-8, 233 pounds) was released by the Steelers last September. Johnson is making his NFL debut with the Steelers. The players were teammates at West Virginia.

The Steelers signed RB Chad Spann to take the place of LB Chris Carter, who was placed on injured reserve

Hamstring - IR. Out for the season

With NT Chris Hoke (neck surgery) and RB Jonathan Dwyer (foot) sidelined indefinitely, the Steelers made roster moves to provide able bodies on the roster for Thursday night’s game against Cleveland. Hoke and Dwyer were placed on injured reserve, and ILB Mortty Ivy and S Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith were activated from the practice squad.

The Steelers claimed DL Al Woods off waivers on Wednesday after he was released by the Seahawks on Tuesday.

The Steelers drafted only three defenders in the NFL Draft: Miami (Fla.) linebacker Sean Spence, Washington defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu and Texas A&M cornerback Terrence Frederick. Spence should work on special teams right away and provide depth at inside linebacker while Ta'amu will get used as part of their D-line rotation. Frederick should also contribute on special teams and potentially begin the year as the team's fourth cornerback.

Notable players cut by the Packers on Saturday include: WR Diondre Borel, S Anthony Bratton, NT Chris Donaldson, LB Ricky Elmore, CB Josh Gordy, WR Tori Gurley, QB Graham Harrell, FB Jon Hoese, LB Cardia Jackson, DE Eli Joseph, LB Elijah Joseph, S Anthony Levine, RB Dimitri Nance, CB Brandian Ross, NT Jay Ross, RB Brandon Saine, WR Kerry Taylor, S/CB Brandon Underwood and WR Chastin West.

Steelers DL Ziggy Hood left Thursday's game versus the Browns with a groin injury. He had one solo tackle in the contest before leaving.

Pittsburgh DB Ike Taylor notched a team-high seven tackles, including six solo stops, during the Steelers' 29-23 loss to Denver in the AFC Wild Card Playoff on Sunday. Taylor, however, failed to take down Demaryius Thomas during his game-winning 80-yard touchdown catch in overtime.

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said Monday that there's a good chance RB Rashard Mendenhall will start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. If so, he'd be forced to miss at least the first six games of the regular season. Moreover, Colbert is not convinced that Mendenhall will be able to contribute at all in 2012. "I never feel good about an ACL for a year," Colbert said according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. That would open the door for Isaac Redman to be the starting rusher entering training camp.

In preparation for the new league year, the Steelers terminated the contracts of CB Bryant McFadden and WR Arnaz Battle and waived TE Miguel Chavis and LB Erik Clanton. The team did sign CB Myron Rolle, WR Juamorris Stewart and LB Brandon Hicks.

Steelers LB Lawrence Timmons was all over the field in Week 16 against the Rams. Timmons finished with a team-high 11 tackles, eight solo, in the 27-0 victory. He also registered his first sack of the season and was credited with a pair of QB hits in the contest.

In preparation for the new league year, the Steelers terminated the contracts of CB Bryant McFadden and WR Arnaz Battle and waived TE Miguel Chavis and LB Erik Clanton. The team did sign CB Myron Rolle, WR Juamorris Stewart and LB Brandon Hicks.

Pittsburgh K Shaun Suisham was statistically solid on Sunday night during the AFC Wild Card game at Denver. Suisham didn't miss a field goal and connected on three of them with a long of 45 yards. He added 2 for 2 on PATs and finished the game with 11 points scored. Suisham, unfortunately, was playing for the losing team in the game as the Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs in the Broncos victory.

The Steelers announced Monday that they have signed veteran No. 3 quarterback Charlie Batch to a one-year contract. Batch, 37, a Pittsburgh native, has spent the past eight of his 14 NFL seasons as a Steelers backup.

The Steelers drafted only three defenders in the NFL Draft: Miami (Fla.) linebacker Sean Spence, Washington defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu and Texas A&M cornerback Terrence Frederick. Spence should work on special teams right away and provide depth at inside linebacker while Ta'amu will get used as part of their D-line rotation. Frederick should also contribute on special teams and potentially begin the year as the team's fourth cornerback.

The Steelers signed TE Kevin Brock to their practice squad and released TE Dezmond Sherrod on Friday.

In preparation for the new league year, the Steelers terminated the contracts of CB Bryant McFadden and WR Arnaz Battle and waived TE Miguel Chavis and LB Erik Clanton. The team did sign CB Myron Rolle, WR Juamorris Stewart and LB Brandon Hicks.

The Pittsburgh Steelers added LB Mortty Ivy from its practice squad on Saturday prior to the team's Week 8 matchup against New England. The Steelers released DL Corbin Bryant to clear a spot on the active roster.

Pittsburgh DB Ryan Clark will not be able to play on Sunday in the AFC Wild Card game at Denver. Clark has a sickle cell trait and cannot play football in the high altitude of Denver. In 2007, Clark lost his spleen, gall bladder and 30 pounds after playing football at a high altitude plus playing with the sickle-cell trait in Denver. Clark consulted a doctor recently, who helped make the decision for him not to play.

Steelers LB Jason Worilds notched his second and third sacks of the season in Week 14 while adding nine tackles (eight solo) in the Steelers' 14-3 victory over Cleveland. He also added a forced fumbled.

With NT Chris Hoke (neck surgery) and RB Jonathan Dwyer (foot) sidelined indefinitely, the Steelers made roster moves to provide able bodies on the roster for Thursday night’s game against Cleveland. Hoke and Dwyer were placed on injured reserve, and ILB Mortty Ivy and S Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith were activated from the practice squad.

Foot - IR. Out for the season

The Jaguars signed running back Fred Taylor to a one-day contract so he could retire as a Jaguar, which he did in a Friday morning ceremony. To make room, the team released RB Albert Young.

The Steelers took Florida running back Chris Rainey in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. The 5-foot-8, 180-pound Rainey could make an immediate impact as a special teams player and might contribute sparingly as a rookie. Rainey has explosive speed (4.37) and was a dual threat with the Gators, where he ran for 861 yards and two touchdowns as a senior. He also caught 31 passes for 381 yards and two scores and has done work on punt returns. "You'll see him do a little bit of everything," offensive coordinator Todd Haley said. "He can catch the ball. Run with it. Return it. That's a commodity."

Steelers DL Cameron Heyward recorded the first sack of his career Week 5 against the Titans. He also forced a fumble on the play. The rookie finished with two tackles, both solo.

The Steelers signed six players to reserve/future contracts Friday, with some intriguing names joining the roster. QB Troy Smith and WR Derrick Williams are two notable players, each of whom played elsewhere in the league. Smith started a handful of games just last year with the Niners and spent some time as a backup in Baltimore. Williams, a former Penn State player, was originally a draft choice of the Lions. Others signed are CB Walter McFadden, WR Tyler Beiler, WR David Gilreath and WR Jimmy Young.

The Patriots announced on Monday that they shed several players en route to figuring out the final 53 men who will be on the regular-season roster. Among the casualties were DBs James Sanders, Jonathan Wilhite and Malcolm Williams, tight end Garrett Mills, offensive lineman Mark Wetterer, defensive linemen Kade Weston and Clay Nurse, wide receivers Tyree Barnes and Darnell Jenkins and kicker Chris Koepplin.

Notable cuts by the Chargers on Saturday include: LB Kevin Bentley, DB Quinton Teal, LB Bront Bird, DE Mike Blanc, RB Curtis Brinkley, CB Ramon Broadway, DE Charlie Bryant, TE Charles Davis, DE Carl Ihenacho, DE Ogemdi Nwagbuo, RB Isaac Odim, RB Dean Rogers, CB Traye Simmons, FB Frank Summers, TE Brad Taylor, QB Scott Tolzien and LB Kion Wilson.

Pittsburgh TE Heath Miller tallied five receptions for 60 yards during the Steelers' 29-23 loss to Denver in the AFC Wild Card Playoff on Sunday. Miller started hot with 41 yards on his first two catches of the game, but was limited during the rest of the outing. However, he was able to top 60 yards in a playoff game for the fourth time in his seven-year career. Miller finished with seven targets from QB Ben Roethlisberger in the contest.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers NT Casey Hampton said he will have surgery Friday to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, an injury he sustained in the season-ending playoff loss in Denver. It will be the third time Hampton has had ACL surgery, two of which came during his Steelers career. It is the second time he has had the surgery on his left knee.

Knee - Probable for start of 2012 training camp

Steelers LB LaMarr Woodley has been ruled inactive for Week 16 against the Rams due to a hamstring injury. Woodley was limited in practice all week due to his injury.

The Pittsburgh Steelers say wide receiver Limas Sweed and long snapper Greg Warren will miss the rest of the season. Sweed, a former second-round draft pick, is on the reserve non-football illness list. Warren, a fifth-year pro, has been placed on the reserve/injured list. He injured his right knee after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament on the final play of Sunday's game against Green Bay. The team said Monday that it will add two players to its 53-man roster before Sunday's regular-season home finale against Baltimore.

Steelers DB Ryan Mundy registered his first interception of the season in Week 12 against the Chiefs. Mundy stepped in front of a Tyler Palko pass in the second quarter and returned it 5 yards. He also finished with a team-high 11 tackles -- eight solo -- in the 13-9 win.

Steelers DL Brett Keisel had two tackles, one coming in the form of a sack, in Week 8 against the Patriots. The Steelers would win the game, 25-17.

Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery signed a two-year deal to return to the Steelers, according to ESPN. Cotchery, 29, spent last season with Pittsburgh and surpassed Hines Ward on the depth chart. He's expected to remain prominent on the depth chart this year; quarterback Ben Roethlisberger expressed interest in bringing back Cotchery earlier this year.

Steelers running back Baron Batch, a 2011 draftee who never made it past the opening week of training camp due to season-ending ACL surgery, wasn't cleared to join 40 first-year players and rookies for a minicamp last weekend. Batch is considered a candidate to be in the mix to replace rusher Rashard Mendenhall at the beginning (and perhaps all of) the 2012 season.

Knee - Questionable for start of training camp

The Steelers drafted only three defenders in the NFL Draft: Miami (Fla.) linebacker Sean Spence, Washington defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu and Texas A&M cornerback Terrence Frederick. Spence should work on special teams right away and provide depth at inside linebacker while Ta'amu will get used as part of their D-line rotation. Frederick should also contribute on special teams and potentially begin the year as the team's fourth cornerback.

Veteran cornerback Will Allen has re-signed with the Miami Dolphins after they were riddled for 517 yards passing by Tom Brady in the season opener. Allen, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, rejoined Miami on Wednesday after being cut last week. He replaces nickel back Benny Sapp, whose contract was terminated Tuesday.

The Steelers signed six players to reserve/future contracts Friday, with some intriguing names joining the roster. QB Troy Smith and WR Derrick Williams are two notable players, each of whom played elsewhere in the league. Smith started a handful of games just last year with the Niners and spent some time as a backup in Baltimore. Williams, a former Penn State player, was originally a draft choice of the Lions. Others signed are CB Walter McFadden, WR Tyler Beiler, WR David Gilreath and WR Jimmy Young.

The Steelers released cornerback Antonio Smith, signed in mid-January, and running back Chad Spann, picked up after a spate of injuries in December.

With NT Chris Hoke (neck surgery) and RB Jonathan Dwyer (foot) sidelined indefinitely, the Steelers made roster moves to provide able bodies on the roster for Thursday night’s game against Cleveland. Hoke and Dwyer were placed on injured reserve, and ILB Mortty Ivy and S Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith were activated from the practice squad.

Steelers DB Troy Polamalu led his team in tackles in Week 15 against the 49ers. He recorded seven solo tackles in the 20-3 loss.

Ben Roethlisberger's transition to new offensive coordinator Todd Haley's playbook is not going as smoothly as Steelers fans had hoped. Roethlisberger said Thursday that so far it's been "frustrating at times" but that he's going to put in "extra work" to understand what Haley wants him to do. "I think coach (Haley) really wants to challenge us," Big Ben said on a radio interview, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "Me, maybe, in particular, I think he felt like I was real comfortable with the old offense, which ... I don't know why that's a bad thing. But I'm not the head coach."

Pittsburgh WR Emmanuel Sanders posted team highs in receptions (six) and yards (81) during the Steelers' 29-23 loss to Denver in the AFC Wild Card Playoff on Sunday. Sanders garnered eight targets from QB Ben Roethlisberger as he also secured his highest receiving output of the season. Entering Sunday's game, he had finished with more than two catches in an outing only twice during the regular season.

Pittsburgh placed DB Curtis Brown on injured reserve Friday with an ankle injury. To take his place on the roster, the Steelers signed RB John Clay from the team's practice squad.

Ankle - IR. Out for the season

The Steelers signed six players to reserve/future contracts Friday, with some intriguing names joining the roster. QB Troy Smith and WR Derrick Williams are two notable players, each of whom played elsewhere in the league. Smith started a handful of games just last year with the Niners and spent some time as a backup in Baltimore. Williams, a former Penn State player, was originally a draft choice of the Lions. Others signed are CB Walter McFadden, WR Tyler Beiler, WR David Gilreath and WR Jimmy Young.

The Steelers have selected Oregon tight end David Paulson in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4, 241-pound Paulson had 31 receptions for 438 yards and six touchdowns during his senior season with the Ducks.

Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward retired on Tuesday rather than try extending his career with another team. The decision comes three weeks after Ward was released by the Steelers to save cap space. The four-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl XL MVP saw his playing time decrease last season behind Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown. Ward finished with just 46 receptions, the fewest since his rookie year in 1998.

Coach Tony Dungy has ruled running back Dominic Rhodes out of Sunday's regular-season finale vs. Tennessee. He likely would have played if it were a playoff game, but Dungy wants them to rest. "Dom's down a little bit, so he's definitely out of this game," Dungy said. Signs point to Joseph Addai playing (Dungy said that he's ready), but he'll be limited. Chad Simpson and Najeh Davenport will split whatever carries Addai doesn't pick up.

The Steelers signed six players to reserve/future contracts Friday, with some intriguing names joining the roster. QB Troy Smith and WR Derrick Williams are two notable players, each of whom played elsewhere in the league. Smith started a handful of games just last year with the Niners and spent some time as a backup in Baltimore. Williams, a former Penn State player, was originally a draft choice of the Lions. Others signed are CB Walter McFadden, WR Tyler Beiler, WR David Gilreath and WR Jimmy Young.

Steelers LB Larry Foote totaled five tackles (four solo) in the Week 3 win against the Bucs. Foote finished second on the team in tackles in the victory.

Pittsburgh signed DL Steve McLendon off the practice squad on Saturday.

Steelers RB John Clay scored his first rushing touchdown of his career in Week 16 against the Rams. Clay was able to find the end zone on a 10-yard scamper in the second quarter, capping off a four-play 75-yard scoring drive. That would be his only carry in the 27-0 victory.

The Steelers have signed WR Emmanuel Sanders and three other draft picks, giving them six picks under contract. Sanders, a third-round pick from SMU, signed Tuesday along with LB Stevenson Sylvester, a fifth-round selection from Utah; and sixth-round picks Jonathan Dwyer, a RB from Georgia Tech, and Antonio Brown, a former Central Michigan WR.

The Steelers have signed veteran tight end Leonard Pope to a one-year contract. The 28-year-old Pope spent the previous three seasons with the Chiefs and coach Todd Haley, who is the new offensive coordinator with the Steelers. Pope caught a career-high 24 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown in 2011.

The Browns listed the following players as inactive for Week 16 against Oakland: DB Coye Francies, DB Gerard Lawson, DL David Veikune, DL Derreck Robinson, TE Greg Estandia, WR Jake Allen, LB Arnold Harrison.

Steelers DB Keenan Lewis registered his first career interception in Week 12 against the Chiefs. Lewis stepped in front of a Tyler Palko pass late in the fourth quarter, which sealed the victory for Pittsburgh. He finished with one tackle in the 13-9 victory.