Diontae Spencer tried out for Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Could he have a second stint in the black and gold?
The Steelers ended a busy day of roster moves with a workout on Tuesday, with wide receiver Diontae Spencer trying out for Pittsburgh per NFL insider Aaron Wilson.
Spencer might be a familiar name to some Steelers fans. He spent time with Pittsburgh in 2019, showcasing his speed with some preseason highlights although he failed to make the final roster.
Spencer’s football career actually began in 2014 when he signed with the then St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent out of McNeese State after participating in the Chicago Bears’ minicamp. He was waived by the Rams in July, and went on to spend the 2016, 2017, and 2018 seasons in the CFL.
Spencer was a star in the CFL, logging 2,635 receiving yards, 16 receiving touchdowns, and two kickoff return touchdowns over that span.
Spencer tried the NFL again in 2019. Despite not hanging on with the Steelers, the speedy, 5’8, 170-pound receiver was picked up by the Denver Broncos. From 2019-21 in Denver, Spencer logged 10 catches for 54 yards, also serving as the team’s punt and kickoff returner. He averaged 9.8 yards per punt return and 21.4 yards per kickoff return.
Spencer recorded an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown in December of 2020 — his only NFL score — winning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Since his stint in Denver, Spencer has spent time with the New York Jets, not appearing in a regular season game.
Calvin Austin III’s role as punt returner is safer than ever following a punt return touchdown on Monday, but the Steelers are still keeping an eye on available playmakers with the Spencer workout. The veteran receiver/return man is on the wrong side of 30, but he could still have some gas left in the tank.