The Pittsburgh Steelers signed wide receiver Plaxico Burress after the team's former first-round pick worked out for the team Tuesday.
Judging the injuries at wide receiver for the Steelers, Burress could have a chance to be the team's No. 3 wide receiver. Jerricho Cotchery has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Browns because of multiple rib fractures, and it doesn't look like Antonio Brown will be back from an ankle injury.
The Steelers will continue to start Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders but there is no experienced option for the No. 3 spot. The only other healthy wide receiver on the roster is David Gilreath, who was promoted to the active roster two games ago.
Burress played last season with the New York Jets after spending nearly two years in prison for illegal possession of a firearm. The Steelers can expect to get a receiver who will be productive in the red zone (eight touchdowns last season) but one who won't stretch the field (six catches over 20 yards and none over 40 yards).
Pittsburgh is desperate for wide receiver depth but this isn't a desperate move. Signing a wide receiver like Terrell Owens or Chad Johnson is a much bigger risk because of the distractions they bring.
Schefter also reported that the Steelers plan to sign Brian Hoyer, who will become the primary backup to Charlie Batch. The Steelers worked out Hoyer and Mike Kafka at quarterback Tuesday. Hoyer, 27, had been with the Patriots for the past three seasons, throwing 24 passes in 13 games. He has one career touchdown and one interception.