The Pittsburgh Steelers signed LB Tegray Scales, 24, to the practice squad again on Wednesday.
Scales also was a member of the Steelers practice squad in 2019.
This is a move to sure up reserves as the team deals with its Reserve/COVID-19 List growing in numbers because of TE Vance McDonald‘s positive test result on Monday.
LB Vince Williams is also on the Reserve/COVID-19 list because of being in close proximity to McDonald.
Scales fills the practice squad position vacated by fellow LB Jayrone Elliott who was signed to the active roster.
Who Is Tegray Scales?
Scales pursued wrestling and football in high school at Colerain High School in Cincinnati.
On several occasions, he has said that if football does not work out for him, he would pursue a career in mixed martial arts.
Star #IU LB Tegray Scales, a former nationally ranked HS wrestler, told me if pro football doesn't work out, he might pursue an MMA career.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) July 24, 2017
That isn’t a concern for Scales right now as he is a member of the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers.
Prior to his signing with the Steelers, he ping-ponged around various NFL teams with a stint in the XFL also.
He was an undrafted free agent who signed with the Rams in 2018.
Scales was waived by the Rams before the 2018 season.
He then spent about 2 weeks on the Colts practice squad in December 2018.
Scales was a Steeler from January through August of 2019.
He was a member of the XFL’s Dallas Renegades from October 2019 until the XFL ceased operations in April 2020.
And his final stop before landing back with the Steelers was a 2-week stint on the Tampa Bay practice squad through late October 2020.
Prior to being signed by Tampa Bay, Scales took to social media looking for an NFL job.
Anybody need some special teams players/Linebackers/wide receiver? @CCovington02 @simmie104 @MDQue_33 and I Are healthy and ready to go @NFL
One call away
— Tegray Scales🙏🏾 (@Tegray_Scales8) October 5, 2020
His efforts apparently worked as he was signed by Tampa Bay 8 days later.
Accomplished College Player
Though he has never appeared in an NFL game and has struggled to find longevity with an NFL team, Tegray Scales earned accolades at the University of Indiana.
He played all four years of his eligibility, recording 13 double-digit tackles games in his NCAA career.
Playing in 48 career games with 26 starts, he finished his career 3rd in Indiana history with 46 career tackles for loss.
Scales earned All-American honors in 2016, a feat that hadn’t happened for an Indiana linebacker since the late 1980s.
In addition, he was named to the All-Big Ten first team in 2017; the last time an Indiana LB earned this honor was in 1988.
Two out of his four years, he won Indiana’s Anthony Thompson Most Valuable Player award.
2018 Draft Concerns
The key issue scouts had with Scales leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft was his apparent hesitation at times and his size.
At 6’0″ and 230 pounds, Scales is considered small for the position.
Scales was also dubbed as a player that was better live than on tape.
In live workouts, his playmaking skills shine.
On tape, the flaws are considered more evident.
Better angle of Scales picking a side. Would like to see him stay square and try to blow up the blocker in the hole. Picking a side makes for an easy block and an easy read by the back. pic.twitter.com/ZNoZrTq6MG
— Josh Carney (@ByJoshCarney) February 12, 2018
Welcome back to Pittsburgh Tegray Scales!
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