Rodney Williams moved to Steelers’ active roster, as WR Ben Skowronek heads to IR

Rodney Williams is back on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ active roster, part of a handful of minor roster moves announced before Wednesday’s practice.

Williams becomes the fifth tight end on the 53-man list, joining Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, MyCole Pruitt and Connor Heyward. There have been times the Steelers carried as few as three tight ends.

Undrafted out of UT-Martin in 2022, Williams joined the Steelers’ practice squad that fall and was promoted to the active roster last October. He appeared in the final 13 games last season, mostly as a core special-teamer, though Williams played 55 offensive snaps.

Come out for the stretches and early individual work that begins Steelers practices, you’ll hear tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts repeatedly call out a particular name. https://t.co/3iqw6wQ3QI

— Tribune-Review Sports (@TribSports) August 10, 2023

Williams takes the active roster spot of special teams standout Tyler Matakevich, who was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

In other moves announced Wednesday, Ben Skowronek (shoulder) went on IR. Though Skowronek was on the practice squad, he’d played in the Steelers’ first two games as a fifth wide receiver and “gunner” on special teams.

Added to the Steelers practice squad Wednesday were two players who spent training camp with the team: tight end Matt Sokol and wide receiver Jaray Jenkins.

Sokol is a 28-year-old journeyman of NFL practice squads who has eight regular-season games of NFL experience. Jenkins was part of LSU’s 2019 national championship team as a little-used freshman and spent last summer with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had four catches for 44 yards for the Steelers during the preseason.