Steelers Cut Ties With Versatile Rookie Playmaker in Slew of Roster Moves

Veteran tight end and fullback Connor Heyward was receiving competition with the Pittsburgh Steelers this summer from undrafted rookie tight end DJ Thomas-Jones. But that competition ended Monday.

The Steelers announced waiving Thomas-Jones, along with defensive back Cameron McCutcheon. To replacement them on the roster, the team signed tight end Kevin Foelsch and defensive back Mikey Victor.

Pittsburgh waived both Thomas-Jones and McCutcheon with an injury designation. That means if either player clears waivers, they will return to the Steelers on injured reserve.

“Thomas-Jones suffered a leg injury and missed a week, and returned to start last week, but missed the next two practices and the preseason game,” wrote PennLive.com’s Nick Farabaugh.

“In his discussions with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the Steelers view Thomas-Jones as a versatile player. They want him to line up at in-line tight end, wing, H-Back, and of course, fullback. However, injuries prevented him from making the roster push.”

Farabaugh reported on July 28 that the Steelers “feared” Thomas-Jones had suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. However, the undrafted rookie from South Alabama returned to practice on August 3.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters in his preseason Week 1 postgame press conference that McCutcheon suffered a soft-tissue injury during the game perhaps to his hamstring.

Steelers Release Undrafted Rookie TE DJ Thomas-Jones

Thomas-Jones went unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he appeared to be impressing the Steelers this summer. His ability to be able to line up in a lot of different places on offense gave him a chance to earn a spot on the Pittsburgh 53-man roster to begin the regular season.

During college, Thomas-Jones posted 73 catches, 653 yards and 11 touchdowns in 38 games at South Alabama. He transferred to the Sun Belt school after beginning his collegiate career at Ole Miss.

The Steelers signed Thomas-Jones to a $30,000 bonus as an undrafted free agent. That amount matched a Pittsburgh bonus record for an undrafted free agent.

McCutcheon also began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent. He signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 to begin his journey in the league.

The defensive back spent most of last season on the Steelers practice squad. Pittsburgh signed him to a futures contract in January. He has never appeared in an NFL regular season game.

Steelers Sign TE Kevin Foelsch, DB Mikey Victor

To replace Thomas-Jones and McCutcheon, the Steelers added players at the same position group.

Both Foelsch and Victor have been bouncing around the league over the past year. Each was an undrafted free agent in 2024.

Foelsch spent training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles last season. This summer, he was previously at Pittsburgh’s training camp.

He has also experienced short stints with the Carolina Panthers, New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs in his NFL career.

Victor was an undrafted free agent for the New England Patriots last year. Neither Foelsch or Victor have appeared in an NFL regular season game.

During college, the tight end played at Division II New Haven. He posted 16 touchdown receptions.

Victor played in college at Ventura College, UNLV and Alabama State.

“He finished with 55 tackles, 21 passes defensed and three interceptions in two seasons at Alabama State,” wrote Steelers.com’s Teresa Varley.