PITTSBURGH -- A late trade for Felix Jones led to the end of running back Jonathan Dwyer's tenure with the Steelers.

Dwyer, the Steelers' leading rusher in 2012 and in the preseason, was one of 23 players waived Saturday afternoon as the team reduced its roster to the league-mandated 53 before a 6 p.m. ET deadline.

Other moves of note included the Steelers activating starting tight end Heath Miller from the physically unable to perform list (PUP) and waiving former Pro Bowl punter Brian Moorman as well as nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu, a fourth-round draft pick in 2012.

Miller, the Steelers' MVP in 2012, tore several knee ligaments, including his ACL, last December. Coach Mike Tomlin said last week that the ninth-year veteran is "doing great," and Miller is eligible to start practicing with the team. Had the Steelers kept Miller on the PUP list he couldn't have returned until after the sixth week of the season.

The Steelers had been expected to activate Miller from the PUP list when they finalized their 53-man roster.