Steelers Finally Find a Third TE

The Steelers found their third tight end and filled their open roster spot as they signed Sean McHugh to fill the spot opened when Sean Mahan was traded yesterday.

McHugh had actually made the Lions through their final cuts, but then he was cut when they picked through the waiver wire the next day. Getting free of Matt Millen and coming to the Steelers instead means McHugh has won the lottery this week.

The move fills a need, as Max Starks isn't much of a receiving threat as a third tight end. That shouldn't be as much of a problem for McHugh, who despite his size (6-foot-5, 265 pounds) is actually more of a receiver than an in-line blocker. He's able to play fullback as well, but he's more of an H-back than a hand on his ground tight end.

Actually that seems like it will be McHugh's biggest role--to be versatile. He serves essentially as Mike Tomlin's new Matt Cushing--a mediocre tight end, but one who has some value because he's also the primary backup at fullback as well.

McHugh may be on the roster now, but it's not clear if he'll actually play this week. He didn't join the team until after some of this week's gameplan was already installed, and he missed today's practice with an ankle injury. So while he likely will allow Max Starks to stop reporting in as a tight end before too long, Starks better practice his pass catching skills this week.