Don't forget the Steelers back from injury
Several will have key roles including a big shot for a wide receiver
PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – They weren't drafted this year or sign big free agent contracts. There is a group of several players who were on the Steelers roster last year, but rarely if ever played due to injury. Several of these players could make an impact this year.
It begins with the starting right tackle. Dan Moore is gone and Broderick Jones moves over to left tackle which opens the door for someone who has never played a snap in the NFL to start at a position that brought a lot of angst to the offense. Steelers selected Troy Fautanu 20th overall in 2024 to be a starting tackle. He showed off some of his mobility during preseason work last year. He can get into space like few tackles can, but this all will be a learning experience. He's never played against this level of competition and his first matchup will likely be against Jets Will McDonald, who was 12th in the NFL with 10.5 sacks.
There seemed to be opportunities last year for receiver Roman Wilson to impact the lineup. Beyond George Pickens, only journeymen and an unproved Calvin Austin. An ankle injury ended his training camp in Latrobe and then when he seemed to be ready for his shot, Wilson just didn't grasp the offense. Towards the end of the season, Wilson was ramping up for a post-season shot, but it never materialized. His final year at Michigan he caught 48 passes, 12 for touchdowns and averaged 16.4 yards-per reception. He had great hands in college, running a 4.39 40-yard dash with a 37" vertical jump.
Corliss Waitman stepped in and performed well given his lack of experience. Waitman was flawless holding and averaged 46.4 yards per punt, tied for 24th in the league. Veteran Cameron Johnston returns having averaged more in each of his last four seasons including 47.7 in 2023 with Houston. He's also only had one blocked in his career. Not a headline returner, but a he could make an impact.
Nothing seemed as improbable last year as linebacker Cole Holcomb being back on a practice field as the Steelers were preparing for the regular-season finale and the playoff game. Holcomb kept fighting after a second catastrophic knee injury to potentially play. The 28-year-old is in the mix this season. It would appear Payton Wilson would join Patrick Queen in the lineup this year, but with Elandon Roberts gone, there is an opportunity for a run-stuffer. In his last full season, Holcomb had 142 tackles (83 solo) with Washington.
Steelers used a first-round pick on defensive lineman Derrick Harmon and a fifth on Yahya Black, they also have Logan Lee, who played with Black at Iowa. Lee worked all season recovering from a calf injury after he was picked in the sixth round in 2024. Lee finished with 48 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss.
He had a career game against Purdue with 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. They don't need him to do that, just a few snaps and solid special teams play would give Lee a shot to be dressed on Sunday.
There was a point of time where Dylan Cook hoped to be a part of an NFL quarterback room. That's where he started in college before making the unusual transition to offensive tackle. Cook signed with the Steelers in 2023 and has been on and off the roster. He will battle to be their top swing tackle this year after missing most of last year with a Lisfranc injury. Don't put anything past Cook even though Calvin Anderson returns after missing December with a groin injury to add starting experience to that tackle competition.
Several players, four with tens of NFL starts return to fight for various opportunities this year and it starts on Tuesday.
