The Steelers elevated defensive back James Pierre from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive Roster for Sunday's game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. He will revert back to the practice squad after the game.
Pierre started his career in Pittsburgh, spent time with the Washington Commanders, and returned to the Steelers in 2024. He was re-signed during the 2025 offseason after becoming a free agent.
Pierre returned to the Steelers for a second stint in 2024, signed to the practice squad in September after his release from the Commanders and then elevated to the 53-man roster one week later. He appeared in 15 games in 2024, starting two, and recorded 12 tackles, eight of them solo stops, and one interception, occurring against the Cleveland Browns to close out the game in a 27-14 win at Acrisure Stadium in Week 14.
Pierre was originally signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft out of Florida Atlantic. He has appeared in 81 career games, with eight starts in four seasons. He has recorded 71 tackles, including 60 solo stops, 11 passes defensed, three interceptions and a forced fumble. He also has 46 special teams tackles.
Pierre saw action in 16 games in 2023, mainly on special teams. He had seven special teams tackles, five of them solo stops. Pierre appeared in 17 games in 2022, starting two of them. He finished the year with 20 tackles, including 16 solo stops, had four passes defensed and an interception against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12. In 2021, Pierre played in 17 games with four starts. He recorded 37 tackles, 34 of them solo stops, and had one interception. He made the initial 53-man roster his rookie season and played in all 16 games.
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