Rader wasn't targeted across five snaps on offense in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Bengals.
Analysis: The 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end has seen action in eight games this season and has logged 79 snaps on offense but has yet to draw a single target. He'll continue to be deployed primarily as a blocker whenever he's on the field.
Nov 29, 2022 12:31 PM EST
Rader was signed to Tennessee's active roster from the practice squad on Thursday, Turron Davenport of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Rader will provide tight end depth for the Titans moving forward, starting with Sunday's game against the Raiders. His usage will likely be limited primarily to special teams with Austin Hooper, Geoff Swaim and Chigoziem Okonkwo all ahead of Rader on the depth chart.
Sep 22, 2022 9:32 AM EST
The Titans signed Rader to their practice squad Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Rader was waived by the Steelers ahead of Tuesday's 53-man roster deadline and has latched on with the Titans via a practice squad deal. The 6-foot-4 tight end appeared in six games for Pittsburgh last season, catching two of three targets for eight yards across 36 offensive snaps.
Sep 2, 2022 7:51 AM EST
Rader was waived by the Steelers on Tuesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Rader failed to make much of an impact this preseason, catching one pass for six yards while appearing in only one game. The tight end appeared in six games with the Steelers last year, reeling in two passes for eight yards. Rader will likely join the Steelers' practice squad if he clears waivers.
Aug 30, 2022 9:44 AM EST
Rader caught two of three targets for eight yards during the 2021 regular season.
Analysis: Even though Eric Ebron (knee) missed nine games in 2021, Rader saw minimal playing time while appearing in just six games. He's made just seven appearances across his first two professional seasons and seems unlikely to have a massive uptick in production next year.
Jan 10, 2022 8:44 AM EST
Rader (hip) fully participated in Wednesday's practice session, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Analysis: Rader was unavailable for Sunday's win over Tennessee due to a hip injury, but he appears to have moved past the issue ahead of Week 16. The tight end has had minimal playing time this year but could see an uptick in playing time Sunday against Kansas City if Pat Freiermuth (concussion) is unavailable.
Dec 22, 2021 1:33 PM EST
Rader (hip) is inactive Week 15 against the Titans.
Analysis: Rader missed Thursday's practice, which was sandwiched between a pair of limited sessions, causing him to enter the week with a questionable tag. The second-year tight end has served only in a depth role this season, so his absence shouldn't have much of an effect on the Pittsburgh offensive game plan.
Dec 19, 2021 8:43 AM EST
Rader (hip) is questionable Sunday against the Titans, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Rader was limited in practice Friday with the injury. Filing in at third on the Steelers' tight end positional depth chart, Rader hasn't seen more than one snap on offense in any of his three games this season.
Dec 17, 2021 4:04 PM EST
Rader was promoted to the Steelers' active roster Tuesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Rader was active in Week 9 against the Bears making a one-yard catch on his only snap. The Youngstown State product has been with the team since 2019, appearing in one other game in 2020.
Nov 23, 2021 12:49 PM EST
Rader reverted to the Steelers' practice squad Tuesday, per the NFL's official transactions report.
Analysis: Rader automatically reverted to Pittsburgh's practice squad after having been elevated for Monday's contest against the Bears. Versus Chicago, in what was his first appearance of the season, Rader secured his only target for a one-yard reception.
Nov 10, 2021 8:21 AM EST
Rader was elevated to the Steelers' active roster ahead of Monday's game against the Bears, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.
Analysis: Rader will provide additional depth at tight end in Week 9 since Eric Ebron (hamstring) has been ruled out for a second consecutive game. The 26-year-old made just one appearance with the Steelers last year and failed to secure his lone target.
Nov 8, 2021 12:40 PM EST
The Steelers signed Rader to a reserve/future contract Thursday.
Analysis: Rader appeared in two games with the Steelers this season, Week 17 and last weekend's wild-card loss to the Browns. The tight end out of Youngstown State will now get an opportunity to continue his development with the organization.
Jan 14, 2021 3:44 PM EST
Rader was released by the Steelers on Monday.
Analysis: Rader suited up for just one game with the Steelers during the 2020 campaign. After bouncing back and forth between the practice squad and active roster, Rader will no longer stay in Pittsburgh.
Jan 11, 2021 3:30 PM EST
Rader has been activated from the Steelers' practice squad on Saturday.
Analysis: After making his NFL debut for Week 17's game against the Browns, Rader played in 12 special teams snaps and saw one target. The Pittsburgh native will have another chance suit up for Sunday's wild-card game against Cleveland.
Jan 9, 2021 12:58 PM EST
Rader reverted to the Steelers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Analysis: Rader logged 12 snaps on offense and 12 snaps on special teams in the first NFL action of his career. The Pittsburgh native will reside on the practice squad for the time being, and he could be elevated again if Eric Ebron's stint on the COVID-19 list keeps him out for Saturday's wild-card game against Cleveland.
Jan 5, 2021 12:42 PM EST
Rader was promoted to the Steelers' active roster Saturday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Rader is on track to make his NFL debut Sunday against the Browns with fellow tight end Eric Ebron moving to the reserve/COVID-19 list. Rader is a Youngstown State product, who collected 22 receptions for 272 yards and a pair of scores during his final collegiate season in 2017.
Jan 2, 2021 2:41 PM EST
Rader cleared waivers and signed with the Steelers' practice squad Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Rader was called up from the practice squad in November but never played a game before being cut this week. The Pittsburgh native will stick with the team, adding depth at tight end behind Eric Ebron (back) and Vance McDonald.
Dec 23, 2020 5:10 PM EST
The Steelers waived Rader on Monday.
Analysis: Rader was promoted from the practice squad in late November, but he never suited up for a game. If he clears waivers, Rader has a good chance to re-sign with Pittsburgh's practice squad.
Dec 21, 2020 1:20 PM EST
The Steelers signed Rader to the active roster Tuesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Rader entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and has yet to make his NFL debut. He could get a chance this week against the Ravens following news that tight end Zach Gentry was placed on injured reserve with a left knee sprain. However, Vance McDonald (illness) could return to the lineup, which may put Rader in healthy scratch territory.
Nov 24, 2020 12:28 PM EST
Rader signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers on Monday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Rader spent most of the season on the Steelers' practice squad, though he was let go briefly during November. The 24-year-old is still looking to make his NFL debut since going undrafted out of Youngstown State in 2018.
Dec 30, 2019 4:45 PM EST
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