VALDES-SCANTLING PLANS STEELERS PRACTICE SQUAD RETURN

Mike DeFabo said wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling “plans to sign with the Steelers” after the Los Angeles Chargers released him at the weekend. DeFabo expects Valdes-Scantling to begin on Pittsburgh’s practice squad. Valdes-Scantling played five regular-season games for the Steelers last season, catching 10 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. He appeared in three games for the Chargers this season, catching two of five targets for 22 yards. The Chargers released him to make room for a player returning from injured reserve.

The Green Bay Packers drafted Valdes-Scantling in 2018, during Mike McCarthy’s final season there. He played four seasons alongside Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, recording 123 catches for 2,153 yards and 13 touchdowns. The move would reunite Valdes-Scantling with Rodgers in Pittsburgh for a second consecutive year. Valdes-Scantling has also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints. Across his NFL career, he has recorded 221 receptions for 3,708 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Pittsburgh lacks three of its top five wide receivers. Michael Pittman Jr. has a foot injury and remains on injured reserve until at least Week 10. Roman Wilson has a finger injury and remains on injured reserve until at least Week 11, while Ben Skowronek has a calf injury. Valdes-Scantling said during the off-season that he wanted to return to Pittsburgh with Rodgers, but pursued other opportunities while Rodgers considered retirement. The NFL trade deadline falls on 10 November.