Sean Murphy-Bunting joins Steelers from Buccaneers practice squad

The Pittsburgh Steelers are turning to a familiar veteran to help stabilize their cornerback group. According to The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero, the team is signing Sean Murphy-Bunting off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad, adding experience to a secondary that has been tested early in the season.

Pittsburgh reshaped its cornerback room last week when Joey Porter Jr. was traded to the Dallas Cowboys. That move increased the importance of Jamel Dean and Asante Samuel Jr. in the Steelers’ coverage plans. Dean, however, suffered an ankle injury in Week 4, and a multi-week absence is now possible, pushing the team to seek healthy reinforcements on the outside.

Steelers look for stability in the secondary

With Dean sidelined, Samuel and third-round rookie Daylen Everette are currently the primary options at corner. Murphy-Bunting’s arrival gives defensive coaches another experienced player who could see the field soon after joining the roster. The 29-year-old has appeared in 88 games and made 70 starts across regular-season and playoff action, bringing a significant track record to a unit that presently ranks 12th in the league against the pass.

Murphy-Bunting completed his rookie contract with the Buccaneers, seeing his role rise and fall over that stint. A former second-round pick, he signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2023 free agency and worked as a full-time starter during his lone season there. He later agreed to a three-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, but his run in Arizona was short-lived, lasting only one year on the field.

Comeback chance after serious knee injury

His path was disrupted by a major knee injury involving ACL and MCL tears, which sidelined him for the entire 2025 campaign. Shortly after being released by the Cardinals, Murphy-Bunting chose to return to Tampa Bay on the practice squad, where he had yet to see game action in 2026 before this move to Pittsburgh.

Now, an opening created by Dean’s injury offers Murphy-Bunting a fresh opportunity to reestablish himself as a regular contributor and potentially secure a roster spot beyond the short term. The Steelers began the week near the top of the NFL in available cap space at roughly $14.3MM, and this low-cost move is unlikely to affect their flexibility for future additions while still providing immediate depth at a premium position.