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Bad Sign for Skowronek? Steelers Elevate WR from Practice Squad
Pittsburgh Steelers Brandon Johnson
Pittsburgh Steelerswide receiver Brandon Johnson celebrates a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 16, 2025. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The Pittsburgh Steelers have elevated wide receiver Brandon Johnson to the active roster from the practice squad for Sunday’s Week 8 game against the Cleveland Browns, the team announced on Saturday.

This is the third and final time that Johnson can be elevated from the practice squad this season. He played three snaps of offense against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and eight against the New Orleans Saints in Paris in Week 7. He has not been targeted with a pass.

This week, the Steelers will once again be without starting wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson, who remain on injured reserve. Backup Ben Skowronek, who has missed the last two games, is questionable to return. He was limited in practice all week with a calf injury.

In addition to elevating Johnson from the practice squad, the Steelers also signed Brandon Smith from their practice squad to their 53-man roster on Saturday. Smith had already been elevated the maximum of three times this season.

The Steelers signed Johnson, 27, to their practice squad for a fourth stint with the club on Sept. 1.

The team signed Johnson April, beginning his third stint with the team. This time with the Steelers was brief, however, as he was released in June. Johnson signed with the Las Vegas Raiders shortly after being released by the Steelers. He was waived by the Raiders during final roster cuts.

During previous stays with the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh, Johnson has totaled 26 career receptions for 335 yards and five touchdowns.

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Brandon Johnson
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Brandon Johnson at OTAs on May 29, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Johnson first joined the Steelers in 2024, taking a spot on the practice squad after being released by the Broncos. He was called up for the maximum of three games, making one grab for nine yards. Johnson re-signed with Pittsburgh for last season, but suffered an undisclosed foot/ankle injury during the Steelers’ preseason finale.

He was later released with an injury settlement and landed on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad for nearly two months before briefly returning to Pittsburgh’s. He’d signed with the Broncos’ practice squad shortly after being let go by the Steelers in January.

Johnson was originally an undrafted free agent out of UCF in 2022. He appeared in 20 games with the Broncos.

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