Steelers cut kicker Jeff Reed, sign Suisham

“He’s no stranger to the elements and things that are critical components of kicking for us,” Tomlin said.

The Steelers did not cite Reed’s multiple off-field incidents for figuring into the decision to release him.

Reed was ordered last year by the NFL to undergo an evaluation after he became involved in an alcohol-related dispute with Pittsburgh police following a home game in October. The evaluation was similar to that completed by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was suspended for the first four games of this season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Reed was cleared of all charges in that case after completing 40 hours of community service with the Salvation Army. He also paid a fine of $543.50 in 2009 after police near Pittsburgh accused him of damaging a paper towel dispenser and harassing employees at a convenience store, a few weeks after the Steelers beat Arizona in the Super Bowl.

Reed held the job longer than any Steelers’ kicker since Gary Anderson (1982-94) and was the second most accurate in team history, ranking 12th in NFL history with an 81.9 percent accuracy rate (204 of 249). Norm Johnson was 105 of 127 (82.7 percent) with Pittsburgh from 1995-98.

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