The Pittsburgh Steelers are making a calculated move to strengthen one of their weakest links — the return game. On Monday, the team officially signed veteran running back and return specialist Raheem Blackshear to their practice squad, a decision that could pay immediate dividends as they prepare for a crucial Week 6 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the signing became official early Monday morning, marking the second practice squad addition for Pittsburgh in as many days. The move comes at a pivotal time, as the Steelers are emerging from their bye week sitting atop the AFC North, yet still searching for reliability and explosiveness in their special teams unit.
A Proven Weapon in the Return Game
Blackshear, 25, may not be a household name to casual fans, but among special teams coordinators, he’s earned a reputation for being one of the league’s most efficient and explosive returners. During his tenure with the Carolina Panthers (2022–2024), he posted an elite 30.4 yards per kick return, ranking among the top five in the NFL during that span.
Those numbers are not just solid — they’re elite. In fact, only a handful of players since 2020 have averaged over 30 yards per kick return across a meaningful sample size. Blackshear’s ability to consistently flip field position, turning routine kicks into drives starting near midfield, could prove invaluable for a Steelers offense that has struggled at times to sustain long scoring drives.
Head coach Mike Tomlin, known for valuing field position and physicality, has long emphasized the importance of special teams execution. With Blackshear’s addition, the Steelers are not just adding depth — they’re adding a legitimate weapon who can change the course of a game with one return.
A Return Unit in Flux
The timing of the move is no coincidence. Pittsburgh’s return unit has been underwhelming through the first quarter of the season. Rookie Kaleb Johnson, who was given the early opportunity to handle kick returns, showed flashes of speed but struggled with consistency. He averaged just 23.8 yards per return and committed a costly fumble that shifted momentum in the Week 4 loss to Baltimore.
The Steelers experimented with veteran backs Kenneth Gainwell and Trey Sermon as alternatives. Both were serviceable, posting averages of 25.8 and 25.5 yards per return, respectively, but neither provided the spark the team was hoping for. Complicating matters, both players have since become more involved in the offensive rotation, reducing their availability on special teams.
That left special teams coordinator Danny Smith searching for answers. Blackshear, with his combination of speed, patience, and vision, offers exactly that. His career film in Carolina shows a returner with exceptional timing — able to follow blocks, read pursuit angles, and burst through seams with authority. His acceleration and balance make him difficult to tackle in space, and his ball security — just one fumble on 47 total returns — gives coaches confidence in pressure moments.
Versatility Adds Extra Value
Beyond kickoff duties, Blackshear also brings experience as a punt returner, something the Steelers have lacked reliability in since Calvin Austin III went down with an injury in late September. Over his career, Blackshear has logged 23 punt returns, averaging 8.7 yards per return with a long of 21 yards. Those numbers may not jump off the page, but they demonstrate consistency — and the ability to make defenders miss in tight coverage situations.
As Calvin Austin III continues to recover, the Steelers now have the flexibility to manage their depth chart without rushing anyone back too soon. Blackshear’s presence gives the coaching staff options — both in the return game and as an emergency running back, where he’s shown solid hands and blocking ability during his stints in Carolina and Buffalo.
The Road That Brought Him Here
Blackshear’s path to Pittsburgh has been anything but easy. Undrafted out of Virginia Tech in 2022, he was initially signed by the Buffalo Bills but was claimed off waivers by Carolina early that season. There, he carved out a niche as a reliable returner and change-of-pace back, appearing in 28 games over two seasons.
In limited offensive snaps, he recorded 223 rushing yards, 151 receiving yards, and three total touchdowns, showing flashes of versatility that could appeal to offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who often incorporates dual-threat running backs into his schemes.
But special teams is where Blackshear truly shines — a place where effort, vision, and split-second decision-making define careers. His 2023 campaign included a 66-yard return that set up a go-ahead touchdown in a divisional matchup, showcasing his ability to shift momentum in an instant.
A Perfect Fit for Mike Tomlin’s Philosophy
Under Mike Tomlin, the Steelers have always placed a premium on players who can contribute in multiple phases of the game. Tomlin frequently refers to special teams as “the first play of defense” — an opportunity to dictate field position and energy.
Blackshear’s signing aligns perfectly with that philosophy. The Steelers’ offense has struggled to sustain long drives consistently this season, averaging just 18.7 points per game, ranking 22nd in the league. Adding a returner capable of setting up shorter fields could give quarterback Kenny Pickett and the offense much-needed momentum and scoring opportunities.
Managing Injuries and Building Depth
While the signing of Blackshear drew headlines, the Steelers’ coaching staff is also carefully monitoring injuries to key defensive players. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and edge rusher Alex Highsmith are both dealing with minor ailments but are expected to return to practice later in the week. Both are critical to the team’s defensive game plan against Cleveland, particularly in limiting explosive plays from quarterback Deshaun Watson and the Browns’ vertical passing attack.
The addition of Blackshear marks the team’s second practice squad signing on October 6, reinforcing the front office’s commitment to maintaining roster depth during the long grind of the NFL season. With the AFC North shaping up to be one of the league’s most competitive divisions, every marginal improvement could prove decisive.
Eyes on the Browns — and on Blackshear
As the Steelers prepare to host the Cleveland Browns in a high-stakes AFC North showdown, all eyes are on the newest addition to the roster. Whether Blackshear is elevated to the active roster by game day remains to be seen, but his track record suggests that opportunity won’t take long to arrive.
For now, the message from Pittsburgh is clear: the Steelers are determined to win in every phase of the game — and they’re willing to make the moves necessary to do it.
If Blackshear’s past production is any indication, Pittsburgh might have just found its next hidden weapon — one capable of flipping fields, energizing crowds, and changing the momentum of games when it matters most.
And in the razor-thin margins of the AFC North race, that could make all the difference.
