Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is pressured by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Darius Slay (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

PITTSBURGH — Adam Thielen didn’t stay out of work long.

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed the veteran wide receiver to their practice squad on Tuesday, a day after the 35-year-old was released by the Minnesota Vikings so he could pursue more playing time elsewhere.

Thielen had just eight catches for 69 yards in his return to Minnesota, where he starred from 2014-22 before a two-year stint with Carolina.

It might not take Thielen long to find his way onto the field in Pittsburgh. The Steelers (6-6) have struggled to do much in the pass game of late with neither Roman Wilson nor Calvin Austin III becoming consistent contributors alongside DK Metcalf.

Thielen is the second experienced wideout to join Pittsburgh’s practice squad in recent weeks. The Steelers signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling last month, though he has yet to find his way onto the 53-man roster on gamedays.

Pittsburgh also promoted Asante Samuel Jr. from the practice squad and released six-time Pro Bowler Darius Slay, who had been a healthy scratch in recent weeks.

Samuel made his first appearance with the Steelers in Sunday’s loss to Buffalo, finishing with three tackles in his return to action after undergoing neck surgery last spring. Tomlin saw enough of Slay to sign him to the active roster rather than risk someone poaching Slay from the practice squad late in the season.

“We certainly wanted to have an opportunity to see him in stadium before we maybe had to make a decision on him, before someone else forced our hand regarding decisions,” Tomlin said, later adding, “we liked some of the things we saw.”

Slay, signed to a one-year deal in March, had essentially been benched by Tomlin in favor of less experienced players, including James Pierre.

Wanted: Colts kicker

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts waived Michael Badgley on Tuesday, assuring they will have a new kicker in place for Sunday’s key AFC South game at Jacksonville.

Indy has not yet signed a new kicker and does not have one on the practice squad.

The move comes two days after Badgley missed his third extra-point attempt in seven games after replacing the injured Spencer Shrader. The opening day kicker tore multiple ligaments in his right knee during an October game against the Las Vegas Raiders and will miss the rest of the season.

Badgley was in his third stint with Indy (8-4), but it was clear his job was in jeopardy.

Giants’ Carter in trouble again

NEW YORK — On Monday night, Abdul Carter was benched for the start of a second New York Giants game in three weeks in what interim coach Mike Kafka repeatedly only called his decision.

The public punishment of the No. 3 pick in the draft has become a sideshow and all too indicative of the Giants’ miserable season. Carter was punished several weeks ago for falling asleep during a team meeting in which he had to sit out the opening series of the team’s following game.

The Giants have lost seven in a row to fall to 2-11 going into their bye week, with Kafka still looking for his first victory since taking over following the firing of Brian Daboll. New York next plays Dec. 14 against Washington.