Although he is intrigued by the potential, Ray Fittipaldo isn’t sure how Marquez Valdes-Scantling gets on the field for Pittsburgh. Currently on the practice squad, Steelers HC Mike Tomlin downplayed the veteran receiver’s potential role. In so many words, he called Valdes-Scantling a “practice squader” and said he doesn’t talk about practice squaders.
But it’s a common tactic for teams to sign veterans in-season to the practice squad before promoting them. It’s a sort of onboarding process where they kick the tires and start learning the system. Once they’re up to speed, they can take up a roster spot.