The Pittsburgh Steelers added two players Wednesday, announcing the signings of defensive back Zyon Gilbert and wide receiver T.J. Luther.
Gilbert becomes another option for the nickel/slot spot that currently has undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop atop the official depth chart. The 6-foot, 193-pound Gilbert made his lone NFL start as the slot corner for the 2022 New York Giants. That was one of three games he played that season as an undrafted rookie.
Gilbert, who also has experience as an outside corner, was cut at the end of the ensuing Giants training camp and landed on the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad later last season. But he was released by Green Bay two weeks ago.
For what it’s worth, according to Pro Football Focus, during one of his two pass-rush snaps as a pro in the regular season, Gilbert has a sack on a blitz. The Steelers value that in their nickel DBs.
Luther had a 1,000-yard receiving season as a senior at FCS Gardner-Webb in 2022. Undrafted last year, Luther (5-11, 189) spent summer workouts and training camp with the New York Jets but for most of the regular season was on the New England Patriots’ practice squad.
Luther, who once returned a kickoff for a touchdown in college, was released by New England in June.
Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.