Back with the Pittsburgh Steelers for a second stint, undrafted rookie safety Sebastian Castro will wear a new number for the Black and Gold.
After wearing No. 29 turning the offseason, training camp and all three preseason games, Castro will now wear No. 22. The Steelers claimed Castro on Monday, releasing veteran safety Juan Thornhill in the process. Thornhill was previously wearing No. 22, clearing the way for Castro, as No. 29 is currently worn by veteran safety Kyle Dugger.
An undrafted free agent out of Iowa after a terrific career with the Hawkeyes, Castro opened some eyes during training camp and the preseason. He played 105 defensive snaps with the Steelers in the preseason, grading out at a 58.1 overall, including a 60.1 against the run and a 57.8 in coverage.
Castro was charged with allowing five receptions on five targets for 49 yards in the preseason and logged snaps at free safety (73), box safety (15), slot corner (12) and along the defensive line (five). He also played 50 snaps on special teams for Pittsburgh, grading out at 59.5 overall from PFF in the preseason. He didn’t miss a single during the preseason and was a guy the Steelers wanted to keep around, signing him to the practice squad after cutting him.
But on September 30 the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Castro off of the practice squad to their 53-man roster, where he remained until the organization waived him on Nov. 8.
The Steelers, wanting to do business with Castro once again, claimed him and were awarded the rookie on Monday, reuniting with the versatile defensive back that could step in and handle a special teams role immediately, helping replace Miles Killebrew, who was lost for the season a few weeks ago with a knee injury.
Head coach Mike Tomlin stated Tuesday in his press conference that the Steelers were excited to get Castro back, stating that he had a good camp and preseason, and had a heck of a joint practice with Tampa Bay in August.
As for Thornhill, Tomlin stated the veteran’s play was “not up to snuff” and led to the decision to cut him loose. Thornhill was removed from his starting free safety role with the shift of Jalen Ramsey to safety, and without providing much on special teams, he didn’t have much of a role moving forward.
Now, Castro will wear the No. 22 and look to make an impact on special teams, and maybe even some defense in the near future for the Black and Gold as he’s back in a familiar look from his college days.
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