Steelers Sign CB Trevon Mathis as Insurance After Joe Haden Injury

Steelers fans collectively panicked after veteran cornerback Joe Haden went down with an ankle injury during Wednesday's practice, and many feared the worst. Considering Pittsburgh's already-suspect secondary, any long-term issue for Haden, who has emerged as the best CB in the Steelers' defensive backfield, would've been disastrous.

Thankfully, it would appear Haden's injury is minor, as the CB himself tweeted out a reassuring message to fans on Wednesday night. Still, Pittsburgh isn't taking any chances, signing Trevon Mathis.

Mathis spent last season with Minnesota Vikings after signing as an Undrafted Free Agent out of Toledo. There, he spent much of his time as a depth corner before being cut this past offseason. Vikings fans initially viewed Mathis as a potential practice squad signing, but the Steelers scooped him up before that was possible.

Mathis, now 23, still has some upside if the Steelers can develop him. Pittsburgh is known for taking low-level corners and turning them into reliable players--think Mike Hilton and William Gay--while their draft picks at the position have actually disappointed (Artie Burns). We'll see if that trend continues with Mathis.