The Pittsburgh Steelers released wide receiver Jacob Copeland on Monday as part of their first wave of roster cuts, the team announced. Copeland hasn’t made much of a splash in the preseason. In Saturday’s final preseason game against the Detroit Lions, he was targeted once and failed to catch the ball.

The Steelers signed Copeland on June 24. The Steelers had Copeland on their practice squad for two brief stints in 2023. Copeland, 24, is a 6-foot-3, 200-pound wide receiver in his second professional season for Maryland.

He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans last spring, but was waived at the start of training camp on August 2. He then signed with the Minnesota Vikings, but was waived on cut-down day, August 29.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Jacob Copeland at training camp on August 3, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Copeland joined the Steelers’ practice squad on September 12 and remained there until October 3. He then returned to the practice squad on November 28 and was released on December 4. He then signed a future contract with Kansas City for 2024 in January but was released on May 4.

At Maryland, Copeland had modest results in his only season, catching 26 passes for 376 yards and two touchdowns in 2022. Before joining the Terps, he spent four seasons in Florida. His best year with the Gators was 2021, when he caught 41 passes for 642 yards and four touchdowns.

The Steelers had watched Copeland leading up to the draft at the East-West Shrine Bowl and his Pro Day in Maryland, where he posted an excellent Relative Athletic Score of 8.19 and showed excellent straight-line speed (40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds) and momentum (10-foot-7-inch broad jump) but below-average agility (short shuttle in 4.47 seconds).

The Steelers released eight players on Monday morning, the first wave of roster moves that saw the team go from 91 players to 53 as of 4 p.m. Tuesday, August 27. It was also reported that the team released cornerback Kyler McMichael, although it was not officially announced.

STEELERS ROSTER CUTS TRACKER

RB Daijun Edwards
WR Jacob Copeland
WR/KR TJ Luther
OT Devery Hamilton
OG Tyler Beach
DT Marquis Spencer
LB Kyahva Tezino
CB Kiondre Thomas
CB Kyler McMichael