The Pittsburgh Steelers waived running back Aaron Shampklin from the practice squad, the team announced on Monday afternoon ahead of their game against the New York Giants. In a corresponding move, the Steelers signed running back Jonathan Ward to their active roster from the practice squad.
Both Ward and Aaron Shampklin were on the Steelers training camp roster and were placed on the practice squad after being part of the final cut-downs in August. Shampklin was added to the 53-man roster, but Ward has earned more playing time, and he will now replace Shampklin on the active roster.
In three games, Shampklin rushed for 17 yards on six carries. Shampklin will now head to the waiver wire and see if another club picks him up.
A 24-year-old Harvard alum, Shampklin made his NFL debut in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts. The Paramount, California native first signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and has spent time with the Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Gamblers of the USFL before catching on with the Steelers in January.
“Last year, being in the spring league with the Gamblers, it was good being on the field getting games reps and getting back comfortable,” Shampklin said in the spring. “I had come off an injury from the year before so it was good to actually play in a game again but you can’t beat being in an NFL environment. You got top of the line coaches. You are getting the best criticism compared to what you might get in the spring league.”
In three preseason games for the Steelers this season, Shampklin ran 13 times for 40 yards and caught three passes for three yards. After being released in the final round of cuts in late August, Shampklin did not make the team’s initial practice squad, but he was re-signed to the practice squad on Sept. 4 after Boston Scott suffered an injury.
