Former Pitt defensive back signed to Steelers’ roster
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PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers signed defensive back Brandon Hill on Tuesday.
Hill was originally drafted by the Houston Texans in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, spending time on their practice squad.
Hill also spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders and Chicago Bears.
Hill played college football at the University of Pittsburgh, where he appeared in 40 games, with 27 starts. He recorded 172 tackles, including 91 solo stops, 12 passes defensed and three interceptions.
He also had three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. His senior season he was Pitt's second-leading tackler with 67 tackles.
Hill earned All-ACC honorable mention honors in 2022.
In a related move, the team released receiver Joaquin Davis.
The Steelers will play at Buffalo on Thursday night in their final 2026 preseason game.
Ex-Steeler hurt
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Calvin Austin was carted off the field during a training camp practice Tuesday after appearing to injure his right knee.
Austin, 27, was having a strong camp and preseason and looked to be on track for at least a prominent role on offense, if not a starting spot. That allowed him to stand out at a crowded position with plenty of uncertainty from Malik Nabers coming off a torn ACL to Odell Beckham Jr. fighting to make the roster.
If he's out, Austin's absence could affect the numbers game at the position, with Beckham and Braxton Berrios among those on the roster bubble.
Austin was in his first camp with the Giants after signing a $1.5 million contract with them for this season. He had 89 catches for 1,140 yards and nine touchdowns in 51 games, counting the playoffs, over his first three NFL seasons, all with Pittsburgh.
The Giants traded offensive lineman Josh Ezeudu to the Kansas City Chiefs for a seventh-round pick in the 2028 draft, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the trade had not been finalized.
Vikes WR suspended
EAGAN, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jeshaun Jones was issued a three-game suspension by the NFL for violating the league's substances of abuse policy.
The NFL's announcement of the punishment on Tuesday did not disclose the nature of the violation. Jones spent each of the past two years on Minnesota's practice squad, before being promoted to the active roster and appearing in the final game of the 2025 season. He went undrafted out of Maryland, where he had 2,040 receiving yards on 151 receptions with 14 touchdowns over a six-year career.
Jones remains eligible to participate in what remains of the preseason, including the final exhibition game at Denver on Friday.
Harris released
ASHBURN, Va. -- The Commanders released Will Harris on Tuesday, ending the veteran safety's tenure in Washington after just one season.
Harris, 30, signed a two-year, $8 million contract in March 2025. He played just nine games for the Commanders last season while missing time because of a fractured fibula, finishing with 38 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and no interceptions.
His starting spot first came into question when the Commanders signed former Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross to a two-year deal in March. Harris began training camp with the backup defense but was relegated to the third-string unit midway through.
"It's tough," cornerback Amik Robertson said. "I've been to some teams and seen some things like that, the business side of it. ... Great teammate (who wanted) to see everyone else flourish, even though stuff was going the way it was going."
Safety Malik Spencer was also released, while linebacker Drake Jackson was placed on injured reserve. After working out eight defensive players on Monday, the Commanders signed three of them: linebacker Boogie Basham and safeties Joshuah Bledsoe and Quindell Johnson.
Clark on IR
The Seattle Seahawks placed safety Bud Clark and offensive lineman Mason Richman on injured reserve because of injuries they suffered in a preseason loss at the Tennessee Titans.
Clark, a second-round draft pick this year out of TCU, broke his ankle on Seattle's first defensive play Sunday and was carted off the field with his leg in an air cast.
Richman injured his right leg on Seattle's opening drive in Nashville. Following the game, coach Mike Macdonald called it a "major injury, a long-term injury" without revealing details.
Saints make moves
METAIRIE, La. -- New Orleans Saints running back Ty Chandler and tight end Moliki Matavao were placed on season-ending injured reserve on Tuesday with knee injuries that occurred during a 34-0 preseason loss at the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday.