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Steelers add 3 veteran free agents

PITTSBURGH—Wide receiver Shaun McDonald, punter Dirk Johnson and cornerback Keiwan Ratliff were among five free agents who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to the start of their minicamp on Friday.

McDonald was a fourth-round pick by the Rams in 2003 before signing with the Lions in 2007. He led Detroit with 79 catches for 943 yards and six touchdowns that season and had 35 catches and one touchdown last season.

Ratliff was a second-round pick by the Bengals in 2004 before spending part of the 2007 and 2008 seasons with the Colts.

The Steelers annually bring in a kicker and punter to compete with their starters during training camp, and will do so again after signing Johnson and kicker Piotr (PEET'-uhr) Czech.

Johnson averaged 41.8 yards on 40 punts last season before being cut by Arizona in December. He has punted for the Saints, Eagles, Bears and Cardinals since 2002. Czech, from Wagner College, went to training camp with the Ravens last season but was cut.

The Steelers also signed wide receiver Jayson Foster, who spent time on their practice squad last season. They cut long snapper Jared Retkofsky, who signed after starter Greg Warren injured a knee at midseason last year.