ALTOONA, Pa. -- With the preseason slate finished after Friday night's loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Steelers have begun making final cuts to get to the 53-man limit by the deadline at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
Among those cut were Western Pennsylvania natives in Lafayette Pitts, a cornerback, and safety Lamont Wade.
Pitts, a former Pitt standout, was signed by the Steelers August 6 and recorded an interception against the Eagles early in the preseason and spent time on special teams units. The Woodland High product went undrafted after the 2016 draft before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins before being waived and added to the practice squad after final cuts.
After being released by the Dolphins in September of 2017, Pitts signed with Jacksonville before being released by the Jaguars just almost two months after being signed. Pitts landed with Buffalo where he became a significant contributor on special teams for the better part of two seasons with the Bills.
The Colts were next to sign and cut Pitts before he was signed to Buffalo's practice squad. Pitts would then be cut in November prior to resigning in December. He would ultimately be released on New Year's Day.
Wade signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the conclusion of the NFL Draft this spring. Wade was a safety at Penn State after starring at Clairton High School. During his time with the Nittany Lions, Wade appeared in 47 games being used on defense and on special times.
With the Steelers, Wade played safety as well as special teams which would have been his best shot to land with the team. Undersized, but quick and athletic, Wade was a long-shot to make the squad though he could find himself landing on the practice squad by the time it's all said and done.
Return specialist and wide receiver Matthew Sexton was among the nine cuts as well. Sexton had a decent camp and was a key factor in the return game though he struggled Friday night against the Panthers. He could very well find himself on the practice squad once all cuts are finalized.
Highly sought after undrafted cornerback Shakur Brown was one of the roster casualties during this batch of cuts. Brown, out of Michigan State, made five tackles for the Steelers during the preseason, though with the open tryouts at slot cornerback throughout camp, he never seemed like he'd be able to latch on to the roster.
Also among those cut was tight end Marcus Baugh, running back Tony Brooks-James, guard Malcolm Pridgeon and defensive tackle T.J. Carter.
The cuts made Saturday leave the Steelers with 71 on the roster meaning they still have 18 cuts to make to get to the 53-man limit by Tuesday at 4 p.m.
