Steelers cut Archer, sign return specialist Jones

The Dri Archer experiment is over.

The Steelers on Thursday released last year's third-round pick and signed former Houston, Baltimore and San Diego wide receiver/return specialist Jacoby Jones. He was released by the Chargers on Tuesday.

Jones played five years with the Texans and three with the Ravens before signing in the offseason with the Chargers. He played special teams for the Chargers this year and had five punt returns for minus-4 yards and nine kick returns for 193 yards.

Jones is most known for a 108-yard kickoff return in Super Bowl XLVII and being forced to run around Mike Tomlin on a kick return during a Thanksgiving game two years ago.

Archer played in all eight games for the Steelers this year but had no carries or receptions. He was the Steelers' main kickoff return man but had only 354 yards on 14 returns.

Allen, Tuitt progress

Two defensive starters who have missed multiple games because of injury appear to be moving closer to returning to the lineup.

Safety Will Allen and end Stephon Tuitt practiced fully Thursday, the first either has done so since suffering an ankle injury Oct. 12 and a knee injury Oct. 26, respectively.

It also was an upgrade for each from Wednesday, when both were limited in participation, which is another encouraging sign Allen and Tuitt will be able to play in Sunday's home game against the Oakland Raiders.

Despite missing two games, Tuitt is second on the team with 3½ sacks. Allen ranks fourth on the team in total tackles (31) despite playing just roughly half the season. He was injured during the first quarter of the Week 5 game at San Diego.

Other injury news

Wide receiver Markus Wheaton (ankle injury) was upgraded from not practicing Wednesday to being a limited participant Thursday.

Safety Mike Mitchell, who is going through concussion protocol, practiced fully for the second consecutive day, which is an indication he has been or will be cleared to play.

Receiver Martavis Bryant returned to practice after missing Wednesday's session for what the team reported to be an illness.

Tight end Matt Spaeth did not practice for the second consecutive day because of a knee injury. However, he did not practice Wednesday or Thursday last week, either, and played in Sunday's game.

Grant happy to be on ‘53'

Rookie fourth-round pick Doran Grant went through his first practice as a member of the 53-man roster Thursday, a day after being promoted from the practice squad.

“It's something (the organization) decided, and it was a good deal for me and a credit to hard work,” Grant said. “But there's just more work to keep going.”

There had been speculation, fueled by the timing of the promotion and the fact the Steelers had two of their four safeties on the injury report, that Grant might help at that position. But he said Thursday he has not taken any reps at safety since he joined the Steelers.

The timing in all likelihood had more to do with another organization making a pitch to add him to its 53-man roster. Grant wouldn't confirm this, but he did acknowledge “a couple teams” were interested in him.

“But this deal (with the Steelers) is done. I'm definitely happy to be here, and I'm still working,” Grant said.

Incidentally, the player removed from the 53-man roster to make room for Grant — quarterback/receiver Tyler Murphy — was placed back on the practice squad 24 hours later after he cleared waivers.

Mark Kaboly and Chris Adamski are staff writers for Trib Total Media. Reach them at mkaboly@tribweb.com and cadamski@tribweb.com.