Steelers deal for receiver

punt returns for touchdown with a 20.9 yard average in four seasons at North Carolina. In the Tar Heels’ 37-36 victory against Pitt at Heinz Field in 2016, he had an ACC record-tying 16 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown. He also returned two punts for scores against the Panthers in 2013.

He was selected in the fourth round of the 2017 draft by the Cowboys. Switzer (5 feet 8, 185 pounds) was traded to the Raiders after the Cowboys signed former West Virginia receiver/returner Tavon Austin in free agency.

The trade would indicate the Steelers do not have a lot of faith in finding a sixth receiver from their current crop of players. What’s more, it brings into question the future of Eli Rogers, who was suspended for the first game of the NFL season even though he is not ready to play after having offseason ACL surgery.

Rogers was suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Perhaps more important, the acquisition of Switzer points up the desire to find a punt returner other than Antonio Brown. Cornerback Cam Sutton and rookie Quadree Henderson of Pitt have handled the duties in the preseason with little success.

Switzer, who grew up in Charleston, W.Va., and attended George Washington High School there, averaged 20.9 yards and returned five punt returns for touchdown as a freshman at North Carolina.