The Steelers’ preseason opener did more than give Pittsburgh a first look at the 28-9 win over Green Bay. It also sharpened the roster picture, and for a handful of players, that picture looks a lot less friendly than it did a week ago.
Some guys helped themselves. Others didn’t. And for seven Steelers, the next few weeks could decide whether they’re still around when the 53-man roster is set.
At running back, the competition is already squeezing out margin for error. Heidenreich, a seventh-round rookie and hometown kid, missed a handful of practices before the opener because of a hamstring injury, but he still got on the field for 28 total snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
He handled nine carries for 21 yards and also took three reps on kick returns, showing he was healthy and capable of wearing a few different hats. That versatility matters for McCarthy’s roster vision, but Heidenreich still has an uphill climb behind Travis Homer and Lew Nichols after an unremarkable camp and preseason debut.
Johnson’s situation looks even shakier. The third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft is coming off a rough rookie year in which he managed 78 yards on 29 touches, and he didn’t do much to change the conversation against the Packers.
He finished with three yards on two rushing attempts, while Homer and Nichols worked ahead of him and Heidenreich got seven more carries. Right now, Johnson looks like a player who may be running out of time.
The defensive line has its own numbers problem, and it’s a crowded one. Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Sebastian Joseph-Day and the newly-extended Keeanu Benton all look locked into the 53-man roster, which leaves very little room for anyone else.
Sixth-round rookie Gabriel Rubio has helped make the squeeze even tighter after standing out in camp and against Green Bay with his play strength and run defense. That leaves Otomewo and Lowry in a tough spot.
Lowry has had moments this summer, but he’s also coming off the ACL injury he suffered with Pittsburgh during training camp in 2025 and is 32-years-old. Otomewo, meanwhile, posted nine pressures on 104 pass rushing snaps last year, but even that solid depth profile may not be enough to keep him on the roster.
At safety, Castro’s path has narrowed too. The emergence of seventh-round rookie Robert Spears-Jennings and the signing of Rayshawn Jenkins have pushed him further toward the bubble.
He played a lot against the Packers, logging 48 total snaps, but he didn’t do enough to separate himself. Castro still offers special teams value and could develop into a backup safety who works best in the box, but the current outlook points to a release at final cuts and a possible return on the practice squad unless another team claims him.
McCollum is also feeling the ripple effects of the Steelers’ roster math. The addition of Elandon Roberts means Pittsburgh is likely to keep five inside linebackers, and there’s still a chance four quarterbacks stay too.
McCollum has appeared in all 34 of Pittsburgh’s games over the past two seasons, mostly on special teams, and he’s also backed up Zach Frazier at center. But with Brock Hoffman now available as a center and guard option, McCollum’s grip on a roster spot gets weaker if the Steelers don’t carry 10 offensive linemen.
Harrison’s case may be the simplest one on the list. His odds were already thin, and Roberts’ return makes them even worse.
Harrison does give Pittsburgh a dependable backup at inside linebacker, especially against the run, and he contributes on special teams. But the contract math is hard to ignore: he carries a cap hit of $6.79 million this season, and the Steelers would save $4.75 million by moving on, according to Over the Cap.
That makes the likely outcome pretty clear.
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