The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed wide receiver Brandon Smith from their practice squad to their 53-man roster , the team announced on Saturday
Smith had been a practice squad elevation for each of the last three games, as the team has dealt with a rash of injuries at the wide receiver position. NFL players can only be elevated from the practice squad three times in a season before they must be signed to a team's 53-man roster.
Over the last three weeks, Smith has played a total of 86 offensive snaps. He was not targeted in the passing game until last week, when he caught both of his targets from Aaron Rodgers for 24 yards.
He's also played 27 snaps of special teams and has made one tackle.
The Steelers will once again be without starting wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson , who remain on injured reserve. Backup Ben Skowronek , who has missed the last two games, is questionable to return. He was limited in practice all week with a calf injury.
New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Smith (87) celebrates after winning the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio on Oct 26, 2025. — Katie Stratman/Imagn ImagesCredit: Katie Stratman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Smith, 27, was originally an undrafted free agent of the Dallas Cowboys coming out of Iowa in 2021. He also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets and New England Patriots at the NFL level and the DC Defenders of the XFL before joining the Steelers this January.
Smith played in three games with the Jets in 2024 and 2025 without catching a pass, sharing a locker room Rodgers in 2024.
"I knew him from my time in New York. When I saw him last year, he looked like he dropped about 10 pounds," Rodgers said this summer. "He was humongous, just super strong and ripped, and he looks a little leaner. I feel like he's moving better. I'm really proud of him. He's a phenomenal guy and he's really smart, but he's also got some craft to his game, and I think you saw that the other night."
Smith received praise from the four-time NFL MVP after the team's Week 5 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
"Well, B-Smith hasn't taken a ton of offensive reps. I've been around him for a few years. He was with us in New York, and always enjoyed him being on the field and his ability. I think he's a talented guy," Rodgers said.
"But we can play in 12 (personnel) all day long, and if we need to, we will. But I was really proud of Germ the way he stepped in. There were a couple of plays with B-Smith. Like we had this play we're running inside zone, and we have this short motion to block the safety. Just by the end of the week it was just assumed that motion. I wasn't even calling it. I looked over, and I was, like, 'Oh, B has probably never done this.' I was, like, 'Hey.' He didn't know what I was thinking.
"So we were kind of making it up a little bit as we went there, but I'm proud of B-Smith. He's a smart guy and knows his stuff, and he'll be ready to take on a bigger role this week, I'm sure."
The Steelers had a vacant spot on their 53-man active roster after placing defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day on injured reserve last week. In addition to signing Smith to the roster, fellow wide receiver Brandon Johnson was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday. That is Johnson's third elevation this season.
Chris Ward contributed .
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