The 10-0 Pittsburgh Steelers shored up their practice squad resources for the postseason run.
The team signed PK Matthew Wright.
Also in a flurry of moves, the Steelers signed kicker Matthew Wright to the practice squad and elevated S Antoine Brooks to the active/inactive roster as a covid replacement.
Tomlin said yesterday they had a kicker in the protocol as a covid insurance policy.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) November 30, 2020
This marks the second time in two years Wright signs with the Steelers.
2019
Wright is a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania where locals are divided in allegiance between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles.
As a child, Wright was an Eagles fan.
He traveled south for college to the University of Central Florida and earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering
During his college career, he had a streak of 153 consecutive extra points converted and finished his career with a school-record of 212.
He also holds the school record for 55 successful field goals.
Matthew declared for the 2019 NFL Draft but went undrafted.
The Steelers signed him to foster a competition of sorts with Chris Boswell who did not perform well during the 2018 season.
Boswell held on to his job, and the Steelers released Wright in September 2019.
2020
Wright spent time in the XFL but lately focused his efforts on his impressive day job as a Systems Engineer Associate with Lockheed Martin in Florida.
Two weeks ago, the Steelers invited him for a tryout.
Former UCF Kicker Matt Wright is in Pittsburgh this week for a tryout with the Steelers.https://t.co/uy9U4ES6zN
— ⚔️Sidelines – UCF⚔️ (@Sidelines_UCF) November 19, 2020
Steelers and COVID-19
Though the Steelers have experienced COVID-19 cases internally, they pale in comparison with other NFL teams.
Signing Matthew Wright is definitely an insurance policy to perhaps avoid the issue that the Denver Broncos ran into in Week 12.
Because of COVID-19 positive cases and high-risk COVID-19 close contacts, the team had no available quarterbacks.
Ironically, the Steelers were directly affected by the Tennessee Titans outbreak early in the season that gave them an unexpected bye in Week 4 and the rescheduled game in Week 7.
And the team is still trying to play its Week 12 game originally scheduled for Thanksgiving night against the Baltimore Ravens.
As of now, the game is moved to its third rescheduled date of Wednesday night.
Ravens and Steelers have been informed their game has now been moved to Wednesday, sources said. Ravens players have reached out to NFLPA about their options with some players concerned about playing the game. All would include forfeiting their wages. Many players want to play…
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) November 30, 2020
Rescheduling continues to happen as the NFL and the Ravens continue to test and contact trace to make sure the COVID-19 outbreak on the team is contained, and it’s safe for the players to travel and play the game.
It is unclear what the domino effect is from rescheduling to Wednesday because it involves the Steelers potentially playing their Week 13 game against the Washington Football Team on 3 days rest.
The Perfect Season In Jeopardy
Certainly, these last minute changes to the game schedule puts the Steelers perfect season in jeopardy.
Only the 1972 Miami Dolphins achieved this miraculous feat.
If the Steelers lose a game in 2020, many will wonder if COVID-19 was the opponent that defeated them instead of the opponent on the field.
Regardless, the team goes about its business and awaits the ever-changing details regarding the game schedule.
NEXT: Steelers CB Joe Haden Reveals His Terrifying Car Accident