Third stint in Pittsburgh comes amid roster reshuffle
KJ Henry is returning to the Pittsburgh practice squad, Mike Garafolo reported, marking the third time the player has signed with the organization in the last 12 months.
The Steelers first added Henry to their practice squad on Oct. 11 of last year, then re-signed him to a futures contract in January before cutting him in June. This latest move reunites Henry with Pittsburgh as the club works through a string of roster adjustments along the defensive front.
Depth move follows injury to Derrick Harmon and a busy offseason for Henry
With defensive lineman Derrick Harmon placed on injured reserve, the Steelers needed additional options up front, prompting the decision to bring Henry back, ProFootballTalk reported. The signing is being viewed internally as a depth move to bolster the practice-squad pool while the team assesses health and availability across the unit.
Henry's path to this point has included multiple stops this year. He signed with the San Francisco 49ers on July 29 and was waived Aug. 12 with an injury designation. He previously spent time with the Browns and was with Pittsburgh last October. NFL Network reported Pittsburgh was signing him to the practice squad.
He was released by Pittsburgh in June, signed with Cleveland on Nov. 11 and appeared in one game for the Browns on Dec. 7, playing five special-teams snaps without recording statistics. His contract with Cleveland expired at the end of the regular season and he became a free agent before signing with the Steelers' practice squad.
Practical implications for Pittsburgh's rotation
The move gives Pittsburgh an experienced option familiar with the team's system and personnel decisions. Bringing Henry back to the practice squad adds immediate depth while the club navigates Harmon's absence and evaluates defensive-line performance in practices and upcoming game preparations.
Henry's repeated returns to Pittsburgh underscore the fluidity of NFL rosters midseason and the value teams place on players who can be plugged into a familiar environment on short notice. For now, his role will be to provide competition and insurance behind the active roster as the Steelers continue to manage injuries and personnel needs.
