Steelers Announce 5 Releases, Cut Roster Down To 85 Players

The Pittsburgh Steelers cut their roster down to the mandatory limit of 85 players on Tuesday (August 17) during the first round of preseason releases, which included five players.

Defensive end Abdullah Anderson, defensive back Stephen Denmark, wide receiver Isaiah McKoy, kicker Sam Sloman and offensive lineman Brandon Walton were all released by the team on Tuesday, according to a news release on the Steelers' official website.

Anderson spent his first two NFL seasons on the Chicago Bears' practice squad, initially joining the team as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2018. He was promoted to the Bears' active roster in 2019 and appeared in six games, which included recording four tackles, one sack and a tackle for loss.

Anderson spent the 2020 season on the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad and was activated for just one game.

Denmark was selected by the Bears in the seventh-round of the 2019 NFL Draft and was on the team's practice squad through Week 5 of the 2020 season. He signed with the Steelers during the 2021 offseason.

McKoy signed with the Steelers as an undrafted rookie this offseason. The former Kent State standout recorded 25 receptions for 455 yards and five touchdowns in 2020 during a pandemic-shortened four-game MAC season.

Sloman was initially drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh-round of the 2020 NFL Draft and split time the Rams and Tennessee Titans. The rookie was the Rams' starting kicker in seven appearances and went 8 of 7 (72.7%) on field goal attempts and 18 of 21 (85.7%) on extra point attempts.

Sloman was released by the Rams and made one appearance for the Titans, making both field goals attempts and all five extra point attempts.

Walton signed to the Steelers practice squad during the 2020 season and later a reserve/future contract during the offseason. He initially joined the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2020 and was added to their practice squad, but released shortly after.

The Steelers will once again need to cut their roster down to 80 players next Tuesday (August 24).