Despite not making initial NFL 53-man rosters, Hurleman, George still in the mix
One day after Wyomissing’s Max Hurleman was cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Berks Catholic grad Brandon George was placed on the injured reserve by the Kansas City Chiefs Tuesday.
Both Berks grads signed as undrafted free agents following the NFL draft and spent the spring and summer training with their respective teams.
The Steelers announced their 53-man roster Monday. Hurleman was listed as a wide receiver and was bidding for a spot on the special teams.
He is now free to sign with any team, though most players in his position end up signing with their original team as a member of the 17-player practice squad.
The Chiefs announced their 53-man roster Tuesday. The 6-3, 240-pound George was not cut but rather was one of three players placed on the IR. He was bidding for one of six linebacker spots on the Chiefs’ 53-man roster.
On the injured reserve a player does not count against a team’s active roster but their salary still impacts the salary cap. George will not be eligible to be added to the Chiefs roster until after the fourth game of the season.
Once designated to return he can attend practices during a 21-day window but will not be counted on the active roster. If the team does not activate him during this period he must remain on IR for the rest of the season.
In preseason games George recorded eight tackles, tied for ninth-most on the team.
Hurleman, 23, joined the Steelers in May after trying out for the team during rookie minicamp. He impressed the coaching staff during the preseason games, recording three catches for 33 yards and a touchdown, which he celebrated with a somersault in the end zone.
George caught the attention of NFL scouts with an impressive performance during the pro day workouts at the University of Pittsburgh. George’s stock continued to rise throughout OTAs and minicamp.
George spent six seasons playing for the University of Pittsburgh Panthers from 2019 until 2024.
In 65 total games with the Panthers, George tallied 198 combined tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
Hurleman started out his collegiate journey as a running back at Colgate. After four seasons with the Raiders he walked on at Notre Dame and quickly emerged as the team’s No. 1 punt returner.
