Steelers put Chris Boswell on IR, sign try-out participant Matt McCrane

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a move at the placekicker position, and many might view the move as a several weeks too late.

In a surprising turn of events, the Steelers placed kicker Chris Boswell on the Injured Reserve (IR) list, and signed Matt McCrane to fill his spot on the roster for the foreseeable future.

McCrane was one of the two kickers brought in for a kicker try-out several weeks ago, this before the Steelers decided to stick with Boswell as their place kicker. Of the two participants, McCrane and Kai Forbath, it was reported Forbath was the kicker who impressed the most. However, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Forbath in the days following after their kicker suffered an injury.

The decision to place Boswell on IR now seems strange, at best. If Boswell was dealing with an injury which was hindering his performance on the field, you would think this decision would have been made weeks ago when Boswell’s misses were costing the team valuable points on the scoreboard.

With the decision made, the Steelers turn to McCrane for at least Week 17, but if the Steelers are fortunate enough to beat the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday, and the Cleveland Browns beat the Baltimore Ravens, it will be McCrane’s job.

McCrane has played in four games this season, and his stat line looks like a kicker who would be available in the waning weeks of the regular season.

4 Games / 5 FG Made / 9 FG Attempts / 8-for-8 in Extra Points

Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes on the black-and-gold as they hope for a minor miracle and keep their playoff hopes alive this Sunday in Week 17.