Cornerback Anthony Averett has played in 51 regular-season games and three playoff contests in five NFL seasons.
But because the former Alabama defensive back didn’t play in any last season, he was among the 21 tryout players at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ rookie minicamp this weekend.
While the rest of those tryout players are going home, Averett is staying with the Steelers.
The NFL team announced on Sunday that it had signed Averett to a one-year contract.
Other terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“I had a couple injuries my last two years,” Averett said.
“I’m finally fully healthy, and I’m definitely in shape. That’s why I’m here right now. …
“I got plenty of juice left.”
After an injury-affected 2022 season, Averett appeared on the rosters of the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions in 2023 without playing.
He had been a free agent since the Lions released him from their practice squad on Nov. 14.
Averett entered the NFL as a fourth-round selection of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2018 draft.
Averett spent his first three seasons largely as a reserve with the Ravens, with his defensive snaps increasing from 71 in 2018 to 220 in 2019 and 354 in 2020.
Averett moved into a starting role when Marcus Peters got hurt in the second game of the 2021 season.
Averett’s performance across 14 starts in Baltimore’s defensive backfield included his three NFL interceptions and earned him a one-year, $4 million contract from the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency.
Averett came out of 2022′s season-opening game with a broken thumb.
He returned on Oct. 23 and had started at cornerback and free safety before going out again after six games because of a broken toe sustained in a 40-34 overtime victory against the Seattle Seahawks.
He missed the remainder of the season, then stayed in free agency until Aug. 3, 2023, when the 49ers signed him.
