Steelers reach injury settlements with Cody White, Hakeem Butler

The Pittsburgh Steelers have reached injury settlements with wide receivers Hakeem Butler and Cody White. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reported the news on Friday. Both players have been released from the injured reserve.

An injury settlement usually occurs during the NFL preseason when a player battles an injury. The team and the player then agree to a payment settlement, in which the player will receive a set amount of money. In exchange, the team is released from liability.

News of the agreement came a day after the Steelers concluded their preseason schedule. Pittsburgh defeated Atlanta 24-0 on Thursday to complete the three-game slate.

#Steelers reached injury settlements with Hakeem Butler and Cody White

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 25, 2023

Butler was a fourth-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Iowa State. He spent his rookie year with the Arizona Cardinals and the 2020 campaign with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Most recently, Butler played for the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks.

White went undrafted in 2020. He spent time in the offseason with the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants and Denver Broncos before landing in Pittsburgh. He’s spent the last three years with the Steelers.

White has totaled six catches for 35 yards in his NFL career.

Pittsburgh concluded the preseason with a perfect 3-0 record. The Steelers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills and Falcons. Now, the team sets its sights on the 2023 regular season and a potential playoff push.

Last season, Pittsburgh closed out the year with a 9-8 record, fully in the playoff race through the final week of the season. But the Steelers came up short.

Pittsburgh opens the 2023 regular season against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 10.

Kirk Herbstreit says keep an eye on Steelers

College football and ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit has his eyes on the Steelers in 2023. He believes they could be a dark horse team this year.

“I think the Steelers can be a sneaky team, kind of a forgotten team,” said Herbstreit. “I just think that they’re just never used to being a team that going into the season? There’s so much focus, obviously, on the Bengals, (Joe) Burrow, even Lamar (Jackson), and for good reason with what the Ravens consistency has been. The Steelers have always been a team that’s always been a playoff contender.”

“I don’t know. Because of the way their offense has been as they’ve transitioned with a new OC, new quarterback? I just feel like people don’t talk much about them,” Herbstreit said. “That organization has too much pride.”