The Steelers traded for Browns 2014 first-round pick Justin Gilbert on Saturday and his arrival may have helped push a cornerback the Steelers drafted last year off the roster.
Doran Grant, a 2015 fourth-round pick, was one of the cuts announced by the team as they set their initial 53-man roster. Grant didn’t make the Steelers out of camp last year either, but returned to their practice squad and eventually moved into the lineup for three games during the regular season.
Another return may be in the offing as the Steelers may place cornerback Senquez Golson on injured reserve on Sunday. Golson has a Lisfranc injury and teams must wait until after the cut to 53 to put players on I.R. if they want to designate them for return later in the season.
The Steelers also waived two member of this year’s draft class when they parted ways with sixth-round linebacker Travis Feeney and seventh-round wide receiver DeMarcus Ayers. Running back Le’Veon Bell is headed to the reserve/suspended list and tight end Paul Lang was waived/injured.
The other cuts are linebackers Steven Johnson and Jermauria Rasco; quarterback Bryn Renner; safety Ray Vinopal; cornerbacks Montell Garner, Al-Hajj Shabazz and Donald Washington; offensive linemen Shahbaz Ahmed, Antoine Everett, Matt Feiler and Wade Hansen; defensive linemen Lavon Hooks, Caushaud Lyons and Johnny Maxey; wide receivers Cobi Hamilton and Marcus Tucker and running backs Brandon Brown-Dukes and Cameron Stingily.