Steelers place A.T. Perry on waivers, release tight end J.J. Galbreath

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a pair of roster moves involving their receiving corps, placing wide receiver A.T. Perry on waivers and releasing tight end J.J. Galbreath, according to the NFL transaction wire as reported by Yahoo Sports on August 7, 2026.

Perry’s placement on waivers means other teams have the opportunity to claim him before he becomes a free agent. In practical terms, it is a team-building step that can also create a short window for a receiver to find a new opportunity if claimed by a club looking to add depth, experience, or a specific skill set to its own training-camp competition.

Galbreath’s release is a separate but related decision, removing another pass-catcher from Pittsburgh’s roster. The Steelers’ move suggests they were looking to narrow the group at tight end and wide receiver positions, where teams typically evaluate roles such as run-blocking needs at tight end, red-zone usage, and whether the receiving options fit the offense’s short-route and boundary concepts.

While the transactions confirm the status changes for both players, they do not, in the published item, provide further detail on the internal reasons behind the moves. Teams frequently adjust roster plans based on training-camp performance, matchup needs for preseason games, and the balance of each position group with special teams contributions. Without additional reporting or an official Steelers roster note beyond the transaction, the exact impetus for each move remains unclear.

From a Steelers perspective, these decisions also reflect the broader rhythm of NFL roster management during the late stages of camp. As teams work toward the final roster size for the season, each waiver placement and release is one more sorting step, separating the most in-scheme options from players who may have a tougher path to the active roster.

What to watch next is whether either player is claimed off waivers and, if not, where they land afterward. A waiver claim would indicate another team values the experience and the specific role a pass-catcher can fill, while unclaimed outcomes generally mean the player will look for a new opportunity through signings or practice-squad work.