Steelers place rookie DL Logan Lee on IR, promote veteran WR Ben Skowronek to active roster

The Pittsburgh Steelers added a fifth healthy wide receiver to their active roster in advance of Sunday’s season opener, promoting veteran Ben Skowronek from the practice squad on Saturday.

Skowronek was signed to the practice squad last week after the Houston Texans cut him at the end of their training camp. Skowronek appeared in 45 games between the 2021-23 seasons for the Los Angeles Rams, who drafted him in the seventh round three years ago.

Skowronek has 58 receptions for 575 yards and one touchdown in his career, in addition to “core” special teams play.

On Friday, rookie third-round pick Logan Wilson was designated as inactive for Sunday’s game at the Atlanta Falcons because of an ankle injury. That left the Steelers with a receivers corps of George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III and Scotty Miller. Skowronek slots into the WR5 role, a job that mostly involves special teams.

Rookie defensive lineman Logan Lee was placed on injured reserve in the corresponding move. A sixth-round pick out of Iowa, Lee had not practiced all week because of a calf injury. He had been one of eight defensive linemen on the active roster.

The move did not specify a “designated to return” for Lee, signaling that he will not play the rest of this season.

Note: Starting quarterback Russell Wilson traveled with the Steelers to Atlanta. Wilson was limited at practice Thursday and Friday after his calf injury was aggravated. He is listed as questionable to play Sunday on the league-mandated injury report. If Wilson cannot play, Justin Fields will be the starter in his Steelers debut.