Report: Steelers re-sign Plaxico Burress, Larry Foote

The Steelers reportedly re-signed Larry Foote (50) on Tuesday. (USATSI)

Two familiar faces will likely return to the Pittsburgh Steelers' locker room for the 2013 season after the team reportedly agreed to terms with veteran linebacker Larry Foote and wide receiver Plaxico Burress on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.

Burress, who was selected with the No. 8 overall pick by Pittsburgh in the 2000 NFL Draft, appeared in four games for the Steelers in 2012. The 2011 Sporting News NFL Comeback Player of the Year received a one-year deal for the veteran minimum, according to CBSSports.com NFL Insider Jason La Canfora.

Foote reportedly agreed to terms on a multi-year contract, according to ESPN.

Months after catching the game-winning touchdown for the Giants in Super Bowl XLII, Burress suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a New York City nightclub in November of 2008 and was charged with criminal possession of a handgun. He accepted a plea deal in August of 2009 and spent nearly two years in prison. Burress had 45 receptions and eight touchdowns with the Jets in 2011.

Foote, 32, is coming off one of the top seasons of his career. In 2012, his 11th season in the league, Foote had career-highs of 86 solo tackles and 114 overall, second on the Steelers in both categories. Foote, a 2002 fourth-round pick out of Michigan, has spent all but one of his professional seasons with the Steelers.

Following the Steelers' Super Bowl XLII win over the Cardinals in 2009, Foote requested and was granted his release due to a lack of playing time behind Lawrence Timmons. Foote had 99 tackles for the Lions in 2009 but returned to Pittsburgh a season later.

He appeared in 31 games from 2010-2011 for the Steelers but received only five starts and finished with 68 combined tackles. Foote started all 16 games at inside linebacker for the Steelers last season.

Although Foote could have been retained for his experience and familiarity in Dick LeBeau's scheme, he is regarded as a liability in pass coverage. Opposing quarterbacks had a 121.6 quarterback rating on passes in Foote's direction last season, according to Pro Football Focus. The rating was the second-highest in the league among linebackers who appeared in at least 75 percent of their team's snaps.

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