Steelers cut defensive back Isaiah Johnson among three on Tuesday

The Pittsburgh Steelers cut cornerback Isaiah Johnson on Monday, according to NFL insider Dov Kleiman. Johnson was one of three players removed from the roster, as the Steelers also waived long snapper Rex Sunahara and linebacker Tegray Scales.

A former fourth-round pick out of Houston, Johnson spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders. He appeared in 19 games as a reserve over that span, totaling 15 tackles and five passes defended. He was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list in July of 2021 before ultimately being waived in August.

Isaiah Johnson struggled to find a new landing spot, serving stints on the practice squads of the Cowboys, Steelers and Cardinals this past season. Pittsburgh then signed the cornerback to a reserve/future contract in January, but have now decided it best to move on.

The cuts came on the same day that the Steelers also added three players to their roster.

Former Duke Blue Devils running back Mataeo Durant, North Carolina offensive linemen Jordan Tucker and Oklahoma State ball-carrier Jaylen Warren all inked contracts with the organization on Tuesday afternoon, according to the NFL wire.

It’s clear Mike Tomlin and the offensive staff are looking for other running back options behind starter Najee Harris. Although Warren opened last season as the No. 3 option for Oklahoma State, he caught the eyes of the coaching staff with an impressive 218-yard performance early last season vs. Boise State. He closed out the 2021 campaign with 1,216 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns and will join Durant as they compete for a role on the 53-man roster.

Pittsburgh is coming off of a 9-7 finish this past season that included a trip to the playoffs, where it lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild card. Following the retirement of longtime quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers draft Kenny Pickett as his potential replacement in the first round. Now, with training camp right around the corner, they are beginning to flesh out the rest of their roster.