The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed defensive back Anthony Averett to a one-year contract. The Steelers will be the fifth team he will suit up for and the third he’ll play for if he appears in a regular season game.
The former Alabama standout was a two-time College Football Playoff National Champion before the Baltimore Ravens selected him in Round 4 of the 2018 NFL draft. In four years in Baltimore, he never completed a regular season, playing as many as 14 games (2021).
We have signed DB Anthony Averett. @BordasLaw
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 12, 2024
https://t.co/qthj68ljUp pic.twitter.com/3rGBUPUS1t
With the Ravens not renewing his contract, the Las Vegas Raiders signed him during the 2022 offseason. But his tough luck continued after suffering a thumb injury in Week 1 that season. His condition prompted the Raiders to place him on injured reserve. Averett played seven games in his lone season with the Raiders.
Averett did not play in an NFL regular season game last year. While he signed with the San Francisco 49ers last August, they placed him on injured reserve before releasing him on August 17. The Detroit Lions signed him to their practice squad in October, but got released a month later.
Anthony Averett has 114 tackles, 23 defended passes, and three interceptions in five NFL seasons. He’s played 51 career games and could add more with the Steelers.
However, he must fight for a roster spot against a loaded Pittsburgh secondary rotation featuring Joey Porter Jr., Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, and Donte Jackson. The Steelers drafted cornerback Ryan Watts and signed undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop.
-Lance Fernandez