PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – With the final preseason game here, how is the 53-man roster shaping up? There is still Thursday night for players to state their case. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has mentioned before players who won a job because of a performance in the last preseason game.
Injuries could impact the final decisions, although some are working their way back. There are also players released by other teams the Steelers will bring in, mostly for the practice squad, but potentially for the active roster. They looked at a free agent receiver this week.
Here is the Fan 53-man with one more opportunity to impress, final cuts due Tuesday.
Quarterbacks (3)
Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard
Others-Skylar Thompson had an impressive debut and followed it up with a good performance against Tampa Bay, but barring Howard missing major time, the Steelers won't keep 4 quarterbacks.
Running backs (3)
Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, Kaleb Johnson
Others-Trey Sermon is one of the biggest teases at the position. He had a couple of monster games while at Ohio State, but injuries have limited him.
There are times you would say he an option, look for the Steelers to sign, or at least offer, a practice squad spot if he clears. There is also the potential of undrafted Lew Nichols (Central Michigan) on the practice squad, teammates really like how he plays.
Offensive line (9)
Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Troy Fautanu, Spencer Anderson, Andrus Peet, Ryan McCollum, Calvin Anderson
Others-tackle Dylan Cook is the tough one here, an injury last year limited his season. A quarterback when he started college, the team loves his athleticism. If Anderson is placed on short-term IR, and there is a chance that could happen, Cook likely takes his spot. Max Scharping and Doug Nester were on the practice squad last year.
Tight ends (4)
Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward
Others-JJ Galbreath (undrafted free agent, South Dakota) is someone who has may some plays in practice.
Wide receivers (5)
DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Scotty Miller
Others-there could be an addition made to this unit either right after cuts or potentially before, they talked with Gabe Davis again. The odd-man out in this scenario is Robert Woods. Likely between him and Miller and Miller can do anything on special teams and has had a better camp catching the football.
Defensive line (7)
Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Daniel Ekuale, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Logan Lee
The injury to veteran Dean Lowry hurt the Steelers' depth, they like how Black has performed. Ekuale is a veteran and while Esezi Otomewo is as well, they like Logan Lee. The second-year player from Iowa missed last season with injury and showed against Tampa Bay he could be an emergency long-snapper. DeMarvin Leal would have counted in this group, but has played more at outside linebacker. If they want someone who can play up-and-down the line, Leal could win a spot.
OLB (4)
TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
Highsmith and now Herbig are dealing with soft-tissue injuries, Eku Leota had a really good first week or so of training camp and Leal could make the roster here if there is a lingering injury.
ILB (5)
Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Mark Robinson, Malik Harrison
Holcomb is back from injury, Robinson is a good special teams player and improving at linebacker and Harrison was signed away from the Ravens and also a key special teams guy. Seventh-round pick Carson Bruener will likely start his career on the practice squad.
DB (10)
Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, Joey Porter, DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornhill, Brandin Echols, Miles Killebrew, Chuck Clark, Beanie Bishop, James Pierre
It's between Pierre, Bishop and Corey Trice for one spot and while Trice is blessed with size and physical tools, he's had a hard time staying healthy. Pierre has played over 1,191 special teams snaps in his career including 524 the last two seasons. Undrafted safety Sebastian Castro is someone who has made plays in camp. He led the team with five tackles against Tampa Bay & they would like him to be around for the practice squad. Seventh-round corner Donte Kent can be a returner as well, but has missed a lot of time due to a camp injury.
Specialists (3)
Cam Johnston, Chris Boswell, Christian Kuntz
Others-Corliss Waitman is battling with Johnston. He took advantage of Johnston's 2024 injury, but Johnston has been an elite kicker for the other six years of his career.
