(Photo by Emilie Chinn/Getty Images)
The Steelers announced today that they've waived/injured safety Antoine Brooks. While it came as somewhat of a surprise, Brooks has been out for the last few weeks due to an injury and it's hard to make the team when you're unavailable.
Prior to his injury, however, Brooks was in the running with veteran Arthur Maulet for the starting nickel spot and some considered him the favorite to win the position. Maulet suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter of Saturday night's preseason game against the Lions and Tomlin said he's day-to-day.
With Brooks waived/injured and Maulet nicked up, it appears that Cam Sutton will kick inside and James Pierre will be the outside cornerback when the Steelers go to their sub-packages. And, really, with how Pierre stood out throughout minicamp and training camp, having him as the outside corner and Sutton playing the slot is probably their best option in regards to their sub-package.
After Monday's practice, Mike Tomlin was asked whether it would be difficult for Sutton to play both outside and inside corner, and he said it wouldn't be for a guy like Sutton.
“Very easy for him, but difficult for others,” Tomlin said. “That’s one of the things that attracted us to him, even going back to the draft process. … We were blown away by his football intellect.”
Along with Brooks being waived/injured, the Steelers also released linebacker Calvin Bundage, offensive lineman Aviante Collins, running back Pete Guerriero and wide receiver Tyler Simmons.