“Injury-Plagued Anthony Averett Released by Steelers: The Long Road to NFL Redemption”
The Pittsburgh Steelers released Anthony Averett on Tuesday, marking a setback in his attempt to make a comeback.
Averett’s 2022 season was marred by injuries, and while he spent time on the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions rosters in 2023, he didn’t participate in any regular-season games. He had been a free agent since the Lions released him from their practice squad on Nov. 14 before signing with the Steelers on May 12, after earning a contract by attending Pittsburgh’s rookie minicamp as a tryout player.
In Pittsburgh’s preseason opener, Averett played 41 defensive snaps and one special-teams play, recording two tackles and a pass breakup in a 20-12 loss to the Houston Texans on Aug. 9. However, in the second preseason game—a 9-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills—he saw only seven defensive snaps and six special-teams plays, making just one tackle.
Averett was a senior starter on Alabama’s national championship-winning team in 2017 and entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2018 draft. In his first three seasons with Baltimore, he primarily served as a reserve, with his playing time increasing each year, culminating in a starting role after Marcus Peters was injured early in the 2021 season. That year, Averett made 14 starts, recorded three interceptions, and secured a one-year, $4 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency.
Unfortunately, Averett’s 2022 season was again cut short by injuries. He suffered a broken thumb in the season opener, returned in Week 6, and started at both cornerback and free safety before a broken toe in his sixth game sidelined him for the rest of the season. After becoming a free agent, Averett signed with the 49ers on Aug. 3, 2023, but was placed on injured reserve on Aug. 11 and subsequently released with an injury settlement a week later. He later joined Detroit’s practice squad on Oct. 10, staying there for five weeks.
Averett has appeared in 51 regular-season games and three playoff games throughout his NFL career.