By Jordan Long
The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to take on the winless Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. They are thin at wide receiver with JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson in the concussion protocol after they sustained head injuries playing against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday. Ryan Switzer was placed on the injured reserve with an elbow injury. Terrelle Pryor could be the answer to helping the offense at the position.
Pryor wants another chance to shine at the NFL level. He started his career with Oakland at quarterback in 2011 and lasted until 2013. He wasn’t a great quarterback with a record of 3-7 in the black and silver. Pryor tossed for 1,953 yards with 9 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Oakland decided to trade Pryor to Seattle on April 21, 2014. It didn’t last. Seattle cut him on August 29th, 2014. He was trying to be the backup to Russell Wilson in the preseason but lost out to Tarvaris Jackson. Pryor wasn’t picked up until January 7th, 2015 by Kansas City but was released on May 5th, 2015.
The Browns claimed him off of wavers on June 22nd, 2015. The Browns switched him from quarterback to wide receiver. He didn’t break out until 2016 when he caught 77 passes for 1,007 yards and 4 touchdowns. In 2017 Pryor was with the Washington Redskins. He wasn’t able to shine with 240 yards and 1 touchdown. In 2018 he was with the Bills for 2 games and the Jets for 6, totaling 252 yards and 2 touchdowns that season.
Pryor wants to be back in the NFL. According to CBSsports.com, Pryor said on his Instagram account, “Nine years in. Ready to play for the home crowd. I’m not playing ball unless it’s with my home team. Turned down teams weeks ago. Money ain’t my motivation. Bringing the chip here again is. I’m finally healthy. [Kevin] Colbert let’s go! “
This isn’t the first time he has tried for the Steelers to sign him. In the offseason he lobbied for Pittsburgh to add him to the team before they traded Antonio Brown to Oakland.
Pryor could help the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense. He has shown in the past he can run routes and outrun the defenders to be open. These create large gains for 1st downs or longer. The problem is he hasn’t played a game since last year when he was with the Buffalo Bills when they faced the New York Jets in week 10. Pryor didn’t even have a reception.
Pittsburgh may want to look at their practice squad. At least the athletes on the Pittsburgh practice squad know the offense. Pryor would need to learn the offense which could take a few weeks. Pryor should have another chance in the NFL, but Pittsburgh doesn’t seem like it is the right fit.
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