Steelers Poach Cornerback From NFC East Team

The Pittsburgh Steelers are continuing to address the secondary this week in the aftermath of trading cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday night. 

The Steelers have made several roster moves on Monday and Tuesday to boost the defense as Pittsburgh is expected to be without cornerback Jamel Dean for a couple of weeks due to an ankle injury.

The Steelers are considering putting defensive tackle Derrick Harmon on injured reserve for a foot injury he sustained in the "Thursday Night Football" loss to Cleveland in Week 4.

On Tuesday, the Steelers added defensive end KJ Henry to the practice squad. On Monday, Pittsburgh poached cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice squad. Both players have Super Bowl-winning experience.

Per the Steelers, Pittsburgh poached cornerback Terell Smith from the practice squad of the Washington Commanders. He's signing on the 53-man roster for the Steelers. Pittsburgh released linebacker Bradyn Swinson.

The Chicago Bears selected Smith in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

He appeared in 26 games and made six starts with Chicago, recording 68 tackles, four tackles for a loss, 10 passes defensed, one interception, and one forced fumble. He missed the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury.

Smith was a standout for the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Big Ten. He played in 37 games for Minnesota, recording 109 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, and 16 passes defensed.

The Steelers will next play the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in Week 5. Pittsburgh will have two players on the 53-man roster who were on the practice squad of NFC squads last weekend.

Pittsburgh will enter the contest with a 2-2 record coming off a 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 4. The secondary allowed Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson to lead his offense down the field to get in range for a game-winning field goal kick in the game's final minute.

During his news conference on Monday, Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said the team needed to clean up their house this week. Pittsburgh is certainly making it a point to add depth for the defense.

The loss of Porter meant the Steelers needed to make immediate bids for help in the secondary. The players they added this week won't replace Porter's importance to Pittsburgh this season, but they can make an impact for the team down the road.