Steelers cut kicker Reed, sign Suisham

The Steelers have released struggling kicker Jeff Reed and signed former Washington Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham to replace him.

The Post-Gazette reported that Suisham, who was cut in by the Steelers in training camp in 2005, worked out Heinz Field in gray conditions this morning under the watchful eye of Coach Mike Tomlin and director of football operations Kevin Colbert.

Tomlin confirmed the release of Reed, who had been the NFL's most accurate kicker from 2007-2009, at his weekly news conference today.

"At this point, we thought it appropriate to make a change," Tomlin said. "It's not a decision that comes easy. The kicking position merits special consideration because there isn't a backup."

In parts of four seasons with the Redskins, he converted 81 of 101 field goal attempts, a conversion percentage of 80.1 percent. In 12 games last season, Suisham made 18 of 21 field goals (85.7 percent).

Suisham also kicked for the Dallas Cowboys after being cut by the Steelers.

First published on November 16, 2010 at 11:17 am