Cotchery agrees to terms with Steelers

PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers agreed to terms Thursday with former Jets wide receiver Jericho Cotchery.

The seven-year veteran was released by the Jets last week. Cotchery gives the defending AFC champions some needed depth at wide receiver behind Mike Wallace and Hines Ward.

Cotchery has 358 career receptions, but his numbers fell considerably last season with the Jets. He caught only 41 passes in 14 games in 2010, his lowest reception total since he became a starter in 2006.

Pittsburgh was looking for a bigger receiver. The team failed to sign Plaxico Burress, who ended up with the Jets. The 6-1 Cotchery will be the tallest proven wideout on the team when he joins the Steelers in training camp Sunday.

Cotchery won't play in the preseason opener tonight against Washington.

Cotchery is hoping for a bigger role than the one he had with the Jets last season, in which he became a second or third option for quarterback Mark Sanchez.

He requested his release earlier this month after the team signed Burress and went after Derrick Mason.

-- AP