Aug 30, 2016 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – The Steelers’ big offseason signing is looking more like a big mistake – at least for now.

The Steelers placed tight end Ladarius Green, who signed a 4-year, $20-million free agent contract in March, on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List Tuesday.

Green has not practiced with the Steelers since joining them as a free agent after four seasons in San Diego. He suffered an ankle injury in 2015 that required offseason surgery.

General manager Kevin Colbert said the Steelers expected Green to return from the surgery close to the start of training camp. Green recently added weight training to his daily rehab regiment.

There also were reports Green, who suffered two concussions for the Chargers last September, was still dealing with those symptoms, but he denied those last week.

“It’s basically news to me,” Green said.

The Steelers had a dire need at the tight end position after longtime starter Heath Miller retired after last season and veteran Matt Spaeth was released prior to training camp when he could not pass a physical.

Green, who had 37 receptions for 429 yards and four touchdowns last season, was expected to help ease those losses.

Because he was placed on the PUP list, Green is ineligible to practice or rejoin the active roster until at least Week 6. That leaves the Steelers with second-year tight end Jesse James, veteran David Johnson – also signed as a free agent from San Diego – Xavier Grimble and Paul Lang on the roster. Grimble spent last season on the practice squad, while Lang, who lived in Washington for 10 years, is an undrafted rookie out of Michigan State.

“These young guys are continually on the rise, in terms of the quality of their play,” said head coach Mike Tomlin. “I’m talking about Jesse James and Xavier Grimble. We’ll expect that maturation process to continue as we get into the regular season. Often, that’s the case. None of us are finished products just because we’re approaching opening day. I’ll expect those guys to continually get better on a day-to-day basis.

“I’m excited about where they’re headed, and I’m excited about some of the things they’ve been able to accomplish from a developmental standpoint, to this point. But it’s reasonable to expect those guys to continue to get better.”

Johnson, who spent the first four seasons of his career with the Steelers before signing as a free agent in San Diego in 2014, was brought in to provide more of a blocking presence. He has just 24 career receptions in six NFL seasons, including a career-high 12 for the Steelers in 2011.

After spending his first four seasons working with Miller and the last two with San Diego’s Antonio Gates, Johnson feels he’s ready for an increased role. Miller ranks 6th on the NFL’s all-time receptions list for tight ends with 592, while Gates second with 844 and counting.

“I picked up a lot of stuff from Gates, as far as route running, catching and protecting the ball, reading the defense. I learned a lot,” Johnson said. “Those are two really good guys to learn from.”

Pittsburgh’s tight ends haven’t exactly set the world on fire in the preseason. James, who had eight receptions for 56 yards as a rookie, has seven catches for 36 yards and a touchdown. Johnson has three catches for 14 yards, Grimble two for 26 and Lang two for 15.

But Johnson feels the group can adequately do what the coaching staff is asking of it, even without Green.

“I think we can,” he said. “It’s all about playing with good detail, doing what you’re told to do and playing with the right amount of effort and being smart.”

That’s where a veteran such as Johnson could be a huge factor.

Tomlin has liked what he’s seen from Johnson in his return to Pittsburgh.

“He’s a pro, he’s a detailed guy and we’re glad we got him,” Tomlin said.

The Steelers released safety Jacob Hagen, defensive tackle Devaunte Sigler and cornerback Kevin White to trim the roster to 75. NFL teams must cut rosters to 53 players by 4 p.m. Saturday. … Tomlin said Tuesday many of the starters will not play in the Steelers’ preseason finale Thursday at Carolina. … Linebacker Bud Dupree, who has been out three weeks with a groin injury, was scheduled to have the injury evaluated Tuesday. Tomlin said he is not ruling Dupree out for Thursday’s game.