Less than a week after ascending to first-team snaps at training camp, Grayland Arnold has been placed on injured reserve as the result of a calf injury suffered during Wednesday’s practice.
Arnold was running with the starters at nickel/slot defensive back since Sunday, usurping undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop in that role in practices. Bishop remained atop the official league-mandated depth chart at nickel, though, and coach Mike Tomlin downplayed the idea he had made a performance-related change at the position.
Arnold over the early portions of last season was the nickel back for the Houston Texans. But he ended up on IR. The Steelers signed him in June to compete for the gig, at least until Cameron Sutton’s eight-game suspension ends. Bishop, an All-American at West Virginia last season, has impressed the coaching staff with his physicality. He again becomes the odds-on favorite to begin the season as the starter in the slot.
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In the corresponding move Thursday, the Steelers signed cornerback Kiondre Thomas.
Thomas (6-foot-0, 185 pounds) has appeared in five NFL regular-season games — including one last year for the Green Bay Packers — since signing with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He has zero defensive snaps played, appearing only on special teams.
Most of his preseason action has been at outside corner but he has been deployed in the slot.
