With McDonald hurt, Steelers add Seahawks TE Nick Vannett

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers have acquired tight end Nick Vannett from the Seattle Seahawks for a fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft.

Pittsburgh is in need of help at tight end with veteran Vance McDonald nursing a shoulder injury that will likely sideline him for Monday night’s game against Cincinnati and perhaps longer.

Vannett, a third-round pick in 2016, had 48 receptions for 463 yards and four touchdowns in three-plus seasons with the Seahawks, including four catches for 38 yards so far in 2019. The trade announced Wednesday will be completed once Vannett passes a physical.

McDonald exited in the first half of Pittsburgh’s loss to San Francisco last Sunday, leaving Xavier Grimble as the only tight end on the roster with NFL experience. The trade is the second in as many weeks for the winless Steelers (0-3), who acquired defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick from Miami on Sept. 18 in a deal that sent Pittsburgh’s first-round pick in 2020 to the Dolphins.