Steelers sign TE Bucky Hodges to a reserve/futures contract

According to an update to the NFL’s transaction report, the Pittsburgh Steelers added another player to their 2019 roster on Wednesday when they signed tight end Bucky Hodges to a reserve/futures contract.

Hodges spent the entire 2018 season on the practice squad after joining the Steelers as a late acquisition during training camp in August. Initially signed in response to injuries at the position lower down the depth chart, Hodges looked promising enough in preseason to earn his place on the practice squad. He should enter camp with a realistic chance of unseating Xavier Grimble as the third tight end on the game day roster.

Originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft out of Virginia Tech, Hodges would be waived with an injury settlement in September of that year before being signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad later in that season. He would go on to join the New York Jets in April of 2018 before being released in July.

Pittsburgh have now signed 10 of the 11 players who spent the year on their practice squad, with only linebacker Matthew Thomas remaining unsigned as of Wednesday.