The Pittsburgh Steelers have released veteran wide receiver Marvin Mims and safety Trenton Thompson, the team announced Wednesday. Mims' release was reported on Tuesday, while the news of Thompson's release comes as a surprise.

Thompson, an undrafted free agent in the 2022 draft class, signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers during 2023 training camp despite not making the final roster on final cut day. The Steelers opted to sign him to the practice squad and eventually promoted him to the active roster in November after All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick was injured.

He once seemed unlikely to make the roster, but ended up starting several games for the Steelers and making a crucial interception in the season-ending win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Unfortunately for the young safety, he suffered a neck injury in the Steelers' loss to the Indianapolis Colts on December 16. He missed the final three games of the regular season and was placed on the injured list before the playoff game against the Buffalo Bills.

It's hard to say if injuries played a role in this decision, but the Steelers seem to have found something in the young defensive back. They also had plenty of competition for a roster spot this offseason, including the signing of dynamic defensive back Ryan Watts out of Texas in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Steelers also signed veteran DeShon Elliott to a two-year, $6 million deal early in free agency and re-signed S/ST Miles Killebrew to join Damontae Kazee, who is in the final year of his contract with the team. Among the others competing for a spot on the final 53-man roster are Nate Meadors, Jalen Elliott and hybrid DB Grayland Arnold.

By releasing Thompson and Mims, the Steelers have now freed up two spots on the 90-man roster.