Steelers Activate WVU Alum Karl Joseph vs. Broncos

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made safety Karl Joseph active from their practice squad for the team’s Week 5 home game against the Denver Broncos, then team announced on Saturday.

It will be the first time Joseph has been elevated from the practice squad to the active roster since signing with the Steelers, one of two permitted without needing to be added to the 53-man roster.

A 2016 first-round pick, Joseph spent the first four seasons of his career in Oakland, compiling four interceptions and 236 total tackles in 49 games (41 starts). The 27-year-old signed a one-year $2.5 million deal with the Cleveland Browns in April 2020, playing in 14 games with eight starts for Cleveland. Joseph scored the first points of the Browns-Steelers Wild Card Game on Jan. 10, recovering Maurkice Pouncey’s bad snap in the end zone less than 15 seconds into action.

He re-signed with the Raiders as a free agent this offseason, but was cut at the end of training camp. The Steelers signed Joseph to their practice squad on Sept. 1.

The Steelers will be playing without cornerback Cam Sutton against the Broncos. Tre Norwood, who has played Dime corner and is the primary backup to Minkah Fitzpatrick at free safety, is expected to help fill in for Sutton in the Nickel package. Joseph will help fill in for depth at safety.