The Pittsburgh Steelers have waived wide receiver Colton Dowell two days after claiming him. The NFL’s transaction sheet noted the move Sunday evening.
The team claimed Dowell off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers on Friday. It’s unusual to waive a player so quickly after claiming him. As we noted in yesterday’s training camp report, Dowell was not on the field with the rest of the Steelers during the team’s night practice. The team was off Sunday.
It doesn’t appear he ever practiced with the Steelers, and it’s unclear why he did not show up on the field for even a day. The only thing we learned about Dowell’s time in Pittsburgh was that he was set to wear No. 27.
Pittsburgh also claimed TE Lance Mason the same day they were awarded Dowell. Mason took the field and went through individual portions of Saturday’s session.
Spotted new TE Lance Mason practicing but haven’t seen the other player the #Steelers claimed, WR Colton Dowell.
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) August 8, 2026
Dowell is a former seventh round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2023. He’s appeared in 10 regular season games, all coming as a rookie, with one career catch for 3 yards. He’s also spent time with the Baltimore Ravens. He spent his college career at UT-Martin where he broke the school’s record for all-time receiving yards. Dowell impressed at his Pro Day with plus measurables and testing: a 4.44 40 yard dash, 41.5 inch vertical, 11’1″ broad jump, and 23 reps on the bench press at 6027, 212 pounds with 32 inch arms.
Pittsburgh now has a vacant roster spot. Perhaps the team will bring back WR A.T. Perry, who was waived and went unclaimed after his recent release. The team also waived TE JJ Galbreath and CB Ahmari Harvey. Galbreath went unclaimed but Harvey was claimed by the Miami Dolphins.
The Steelers will return to practice Monday with another session Tuesday. The team’s first preseason game takes place Thursday against the Green Bay Packers.
