The Steelers informed Witherspoon (hamstring) on Wednesday that he will be released, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Witherspoon appeared in four games with Pittsburgh in 2022, recording 20 tackles, two pass deflections and an interception prior to missing the final nine contests of the season with a hamstring injury. The 28-year-old will now look for another opportunity elsewhere, but his days as a starting option in the secondary are likely behind him.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Designated to return
Rotowire
The Steelers designated Witherspoon (hamstring) to return from injured reserve Wednesday.
After missing the last seven games due to a hamstring injury, Witherspoon is in line to resume practicing this week and potentially suit up New Year's Day against Baltimore. Pittsburgh will now have a 21-day window to activate the 27-year-old back to their active roster.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Set to miss another game
Rotowire
Witherspoon (hamstring) has been ruled out of Monday's contest against Indianapolis, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Witherspoon will miss his third straight game after aggravating his lingering hamstring issue in Week 8 against the Eagles. The cornerback wasn't able to practice at all this week, so he never really had a chance of suiting up for Monday Night Football. In Witherspoon's absence, Levi Wallace will likely again get the start.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Out again
Rotowire
Witherspoon (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Bengals, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Witherspoon is slated to miss a second straight contest due to a lingering hamstring injury that's cost him a total of six games this season. Levi Wallace will likely continue operating as the starting cornerback opposite Cameron Sutton while Arthur Maulet sees work in nickel and dime packages.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Still not practicing
Rotowire
Witherspoon (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday, Chris Halicke of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Witherspoon was ruled out for Week 10 due to a lingering hamstring injury and remains sidelined to start Week 11 prep. He'll have two more opportunities to practice before the team needs to make a decision on his status for Sunday's matchup against the Bengals.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Full participant Wednesday
Rotowire
Witherspoon (hamstring) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Witherspoon has been sidelined since Week 3 due to a hamstring injury, but he appears close to returning to game action. However, he did register a full practice last week too before being ruled out, so the veteran defensive back will likely have to log full participation throughout Week 8 prep if he's going to be cleared for Sunday's matchup against the Eagles.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Officially ruled out
Rotowire
Witherspoon (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Witherspoon was doubtful for Sunday's matchup, so his status isn't a significant surprise. Levi Wallace and Arthur Maulet should continue to see increased roles for the Steelers on Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Likely out for Week 5
Rotowire
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he anticipates Witherspoon (hamstring) being out for Sunday's Week 5 matchup against the Bills, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Witherspoon suffered the injury during the team's Week 3 loss to Cleveland and remained sidelined for Week 4. In his expected absence, Arthur Maulet and Levi Wallace are candidates for increased playing time next to Cameron Sutton.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Forced out Thursday
Rotowire
Witherspoon (hamstring) was ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's game against the Browns, Alan Saunders of PittsburghSportsNow.com reports.
Witherspoon was helped off the field after he sustained a hamstring injury during the second half against Cleveland, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports. With the starting cornerback sidelined, Arthur Maulet and Levi Wallace should step up alongside Cameron Sutton.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Starts against Detroit
Rotowire
Witherspoon (shoulder) totaled three tackles (two solo) during the Steelers' 19-9 preseason win over the Lions on Sunday.
Witherspoon sustained a shoulder injury during the Steelers' preseason opener against the Seahawks on Aug. 13, but he was a starter during Sunday's preseason finale. The 2017 third-rounder played 41 percent of the team's defensive snaps and should be available to begin the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Shipped to Pittsburgh
Rotowire
Witherspoon was acquired by the Steelers from the Seahawks on Friday in exchange for a 2023 fifth-round draft pick.
Witherspoon signed with Seattle in March but was unable to win a starting job at cornerback in camp, leading the team to trade him. The 26-year-old should compete with Justin Layne for nickel reps in Pittsburgh.
Witherspoon (knee) is present at OTAs, but rehabbing an injury, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.
Witherspoon, who the Seahawks brought in during free agency, is expected to handle a starting role at cornerback, so his health will need to be monitored during OTAs. Of course, there's not yet any reason to believe his injury is more than minor. He did miss five games with the 49ers last season, but that was due to a hamstring issue.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Officially listed as questionable
Rotowire
Witherspoon (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Witherspoon has missed two straight games due to a lingering hamstring injury, but it looks like he has a fair shot to retake the field versus Miami. Emmanuel Moseley (concussion), Richard Sherman (calf), K'Waun Williams (knee) and Dontae Johnson (groin) are all ruled out for Week 5, so getting Witherspoon back would provide a much-needed boost for San Francisco's secondary.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Injures calf
Rotowire
Witherspoon (calf) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Packers, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
With the 49ers holding a commanding fourth-quarter lead, Witherspoon's likely done for the day even if the injury isn't serious. Expect another update on the defensive back's status prior to San Francisco's Week 13 clash against the Ravens.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Questionable for Monday
Rotowire
Witherspoon (foot/quadriceps) is officially questionable for Monday's matchup against the Seahawks after practicing on a limited basis Saturday.
Witherspoon was unable to play last week due to the foot injury, and he failed to practice Thursday before participating on a limited basis the last two days. A quadriceps injury is now in the mix as well, but it remains to be seen whether the cornerback's able to tough it out against Seattle.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Won't play Week 9
Rotowire
Witherspoon (foot) was ruled out for Thursday's game against the Cardinals.
Witherspoon will remain sidelined for the fourth straight game after suffering a setback last week. K'Waun Williams should continue to work at nickel cornerback for the 49ers in his absence.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Ruled out for Sunday
Rotowire
Witherspoon (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Witherspoon will watch his third straight game from the sidelines after suffering a setback Monday. K'Wuan Williams has filled into Witherspoon's role, and he'll continue to do so as the 49ers look to shut down Kyle Allen and the Panthers.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Will miss at least one month
Rotowire
Witherspoon will be sidelined at least one month with a foot injury, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Witherspoon originally sustained the injury in Sunday's game against Pittsburgh and had to be carted off the field. The 24-year-old was optimistic that he could play against Cleveland after San Francisco's Week 4 bye, but it seems he'll have to rest for a few additional weeks.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Scores in win
Rotowire
Witherspoon logged two tackles, three pass breakups and an interception returned 25 yards for a touchdown in Sunday's 31-17 win over Tampa Bay.
Witherspoon was on the field for all 70 defensive snaps Sunday. In the fourth quarter, the 24-year-old took advantage of a questionable decision by Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, intercepting a pass that seemingly didn't have an intended target and taking it back 25 yards for the score. Witherspoon had a quiet stat line apart from the pick-six, but he and the Niners secondary held receiver Mike Evans to just two catches for 28 yards on five targets.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ahkello Witherspoon: Back in action
Rotowire
Witherspoon (knee) participated in team drills during June's mandatory minicamp, Grant Cohn of the Press Democrat reports.
Witherspoon ended the 2018 season on injured reserve with a PCL sprain in his right knee. That's not nearly as severe an injury as something like a torn ACL, so it's possible the Colorado product has long been cleared for practice. In any case, Whitherspoon is in a good place in advance of training camp and appears slated for a starting role this upcoming season. However, it's possible a healthy Jason Verrett (Achilles) could push him for snaps down the line.
