Steelers Sign New DB After Losing Rookie
The Pittsburgh Steelers have added a new defensive back to their practice squad after recently losing a rookie at the position.
After losing undrafted rookie safety Sebastian Castro to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers have now filled his vacancy on the practice squad.
The team has announced that it's signing Jack Henderson after previously hosting him for a workout during their Week 5 bye.
Henderson is now one of four defensive backs on Pittsburgh's practice squad alongside Beanie Bishop Jr., D'Shawn Jamison and Daryl Porter. None of the latter three players have a ton of experience lining up at safety, though, and with no depth at the position after Castro was signed to Tampa Bay's active roster, Henderson should now fill that role.
He began his collegiate career with FCS program Southeastern Louisiana during the 2020 campaign, which actually took place in the spring of 2021. Henderson appeared in a total of seven games that year, finishing with 22 tackles and two interceptions while being named to the All-Southland Conference Third Team.
In the 2021 season, Henderson started all 13 games for Southeastern Louisiana and came away with two interceptions to go alongside 51 tackles, earning him an All-Southland Conference honorable mention.
During his final season with the school in 2022, Henderson racked up 90 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions while once again starting all 13 contests. He received All-Southland Conference First Team as a result and went on to enter the transfer portal.
Henderson ultimately landed at Minnesota, and he'd remain with the program through the final year of his collegiate career in 2024.
During the 2023 season, he posted 59 tackles, a sack and an interception while starting seven of the 13 games he played in. In 2024, Henderson started 12 of Minnesota's 13 contests and logged 44 tackles, six sacks and an interception.
The Carolina Panthers signed Henderson after he went undrafted this spring. He remained with the team throughout the early stages of the offseason and into the preseason, during which he played a total of 86 snaps according to Pro Football Focus. Over that span, he recorded three tackles.
Henderson was let go by the Panthers ahead of final roster cuts, though, and subsequently signed to the Buccaneers' practice squad before being released on September 23.
Inside Dan Campbell’s fiery postgame speech after Lions beat Bengals
For the fourth straight week, the Detroit Lions found another way to win — and for the second straight week, coach Dan Campbell delivered a measured message to his team afterward.
The Lions improved to 4-1 after a 37-24 Week 5 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at Paycor Stadium. What looked like a blowout early turned into a game that was a little too close for comfort late, even with the Lions winning by 13 points.
As usual, the Lions’ media team captured Campbell’s postgame address, where the coach spoke candidly about the performance.
“I’m not going to go another week two and feel bad about a win,” Campbell told his players after the game. “I’m not doing it. I’m not freaking doing it, man. It’s a good win.
“Was it perfect? No, it wasn’t perfect. We’ve got things to clean up, and we will clean them up. We’re going to get better. That’s right — that’s four in a row. Four and one. And we’re still going. We don’t stay the same; we’re going to just continue to get better and better.”
Campbell then handed out a pair of game balls. The first went to tight end Sam LaPorta, who was stellar with five receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown. Campbell also credited LaPorta for his blocking throughout the afternoon.
“The thing that I love about this team is just everybody’s so selfless,” LaPorta said after receiving his game ball. “Everybody puts themselves second and the team first. That’s the best part. Love it.”
The second game ball went to defensive captain and linebacker Alex Anzalone, who finished with three tackles (one for loss), three passes defended, and an interception.
“Twenty-four-hour rule. Enjoy it. Wins are hard to come by,” Anzalone told his teammates. “Love y’all. Let’s keep going, man.”
And par for the course, the Lions’ locker room video ended with a new growing tradition — Pro Bowl offensive lineman Penei Sewell looking straight into the camera and shouting out a teammate.
“Sam LaPorta,” Sewell said with a sly grin.
The Lions, now 4-1 and sitting atop the NFC North, will turn their attention to a Week 6 road matchup at Arrowhead Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs.
