UPDATED Steelers 53-man roster projection

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A couple of weeks and two preseason games since the last Fan projected 53-man roster. How has it changed?

I may be one of the few to still keep three quarterbacks. As you go through the roster and think of other roster decisions, for a team believing it can win a championship now, keeping four quarterbacks seems like poor use of a roster spot. Is a team going to covet Will Howard to keep him on the active roster?

There is still one more game Thursday at Buffalo.

Quarterbacks (3)—Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Drew Allar

CHANGE-Mason Rudolph in place of Will Howard

• Yes, probably guilty of overreacting to one game, but a pair of interceptions in a half and without a touchdown pass in two games, Howard is on the outside looking in. It’s not to say Roman Wilson’s route was the best or the offensive line was great, but they were a pair of telegraphed throws. A spectacular performance against the Bills might change minds. An injury changes everything, but is there a team that would want Howard for its 53-man roster? Practice squad looks like another opportunity for growth.

Running backs (3)—Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Travis Homer

CHANGE-none

• Kaleb Johnson was the leading rusher against the Jets with 10 carries for 39 yards. While special teams coach Danny Crossman said Johnson can play kick coverage and would have if the Steelers had scored, he has yet to play there at any point. Homer, meanwhile, plays on every special teams unit and is the personal protector for the punter. Lew Nichols has played hard, but can’t imagine keeping four. Nichols plays special teams as does Eli Heidenreich, both could make the practice squad and be next up.

Fullback (1)--Riley Nowakowski

• We’ve seen eye formation, even a diamond formation with Nowakowski and Darnell Washington lined up as fullback. He plays all over the offense, enjoys his role and can do something when he gets the football.

Wide receiver (6)—DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman, Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen

CHANGE--none

• Injury has knocked Smith out of a roster spot. What has changed is Wetjen, criticized by Mike McCarthy even after a 74-yard reception for not finishing, has worked to do. His routes have been suspect in practice and he fumbled a punt (although he defender couldn’t recover inbounds). Max Hurleman could be giving Wetjen a run for a roster spot, although not likely because the rookie is a fourth-round pick. Skowronek is too valuable on special teams.

Tight ends (3)—Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Robert Tonyan

CHANGE—addition of Tonyan

• With an impactful first preseason game, having 17 touchdowns in his Green Bay career with Rodgers and the ability to play special teams, Tonyan has played himself onto the roster. No other tight end at this point is sniffing a 53-man roster spot.

Offensive line (10)—Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook, Max Iheanachor, Broderick Jones, Brock Hoffman, Gennings Dunker and tackle to be added

CHANGE—tackle TBA instead of Ryan McCollum or Steven Jones

• Iheanachor hasn’t practiced in a couple of weeks with no update on his condition, he might start the season on injured reserve. With Broderick Jones still ‘finding his groove’ according to the offensive coordinator, you could make the case for Broderick needed some time on the injured list to gain back more strength. I believe they will search for another tackle released by someone else for the 53-man. McCollum is a quality piece to a roster, but you can play Hoffman there in a pinch or Anderson is an emergency. He could be practice squad with tackle Doug Nester. Steven Jones could be practice squad as well, he hasn’t practiced in a few weeks due to injury.

Defensive line (5)—Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Yahya Black, Sebastian Joseph Day

CHANGE—keeping 5 instead of 6

• Yes, Gabriel Rubio has shocked all with 6 tackles in the preseason opener and had an assist in game two. Joseph-Day has been out a couple of weeks due to injury, Rubio could replace him on the active roster. Dean Lowry and Esezi Otomewo could find themselves on a practice squad with a quick call-up capability. You might keep 6, but adding Elandon Roberts fills a roster spot and if they do keep 4 quarterbacks, you got to pull from somewhere.

Of all the areas where there should be more, especially with the way the defense wants to play, it’s here. This is the number that most could change.

OLB (4)—TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer

CHANGE—none

• Jamin Davis could find himself on a practice squad after 2 sacks, 3 quarterback hurries, a pass defensed and 10 tackles in the first 2 preseason games. Althought the big preseason could land the former number one pick on someone else’s roster

ILB (5)—Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener, Elandon Roberts

CHANGE—addition of Roberts

• In just a couple of days of Roberts the defense seems different with him out there. He brings an infectious energy to the group. Bruener and Holcomb are valuable starters on special teams.

Corner (6)—Joey Porter, Junior, Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel, Junior, Jalen Ramsey, Brandin Echols, Daylen Everette

CHANGE—none

• This could have major change due to injury. Everette and Echols did not play due to injury. Ramsey hasn’t practiced all year. D’Shawn Jamison has 7 tackles in the preseason, Doneiko Slaughter has shown up at times, especially in practice with his cover skills. True injury information could change names, but 6 seems like a good number

Safety (4)—DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, Robert Spears-Jennings, Rayshawn Jenkins

CHANGE—Jenkins replaces Sebastian Castro and keeping 4 instead of 5

• Like with the defensive line, this is an area where they could steal a player. There are a number of safety options for the practice squad, and the potential Spears-Jennings could be there instead of the active roster. The rookie has played could special teams and drea a clipping penalty as a gunner on Saturday. Castro, Jack Henderson, rookie Devan Boykin, Israel Mukuamu (size, but hurt) have all player, but none has splashed. All could be added to the practice squad. Jenkins brings 139 games of NFL experience and gets a nod.

Bob Pompeani, Charlie Batch and Missi Matthews have the call of Steelers-Bills Thursday ta 7p on KDKA-TV.