The Steelers found a way to circumvent the NFL's rules about when a street free agent can play by having Jordan Berry begin his testing last Monday when they worked him out at the UPMC-Rooney Sports Complex.
That allowed the Steelers to add Berry to sign Berry to their active roster Saturday before the team travelled to Nashville, Tenn., to face the Titans in a battle of two 5-0 teams.
The Steelers had released Berry at the end of training camp, replacing him with longtime Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt, the son of former Steelers punter Craig Colquitt.
But Colquitt was released Friday after ranking near or at the bottom in nearly every punting category this season.
Berry completed his fifth day of COVID-19 testing Saturday.
Berry began his career with the Steelers in 2015, when the free agent beat out Brad Wing for the punting job in training camp. In five seasons with the team, he's averaged 44.2 yards per punt, including 45.5 in 2019.
Berry, who also has served as the holder for placekicker Chris Boswell, was scheduled to earn $1.9 million in 2020. The Steelers saved $1.2 million against their salary cap by releasing him and going with Colquitt on a minimum contract.
Berry's new deal also calls for him to make the NFL minimum this season -- a prorated portion of $910,000.
The Steelers also added running back Trey Edmunds and linebacker Jayrone Elliott to their active roster Saturday as the 54th and 55th players on Saturday. Both can be placed back on the practice squad Monday without passing through waivers.