The Steelers, along with the other thirty-one NFL clubs, reduced their roster to the 53-man maximum by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday in order to complete their preparations for the 2024 season.

The most significant aspect of that procedure involved the release of dozens of players as teams reduced their rosters from ninety individuals who had attended training camp to a 53-man roster.

In total, 22 players who were not on the active 53-man roster at any point in 2023 are included in the Steelers’ first 53-man roster.

With three new players at quarterback, the quarterback room is leading that transformation from a club that finished 10-7.

In total, 22 players who were not on the active 53-man roster at any point in 2023 are included in the Steelers’ first 53-man roster.

With three new players at quarterback, the quarterback room is leading that transformation from a club that finished 10-7.

The Steelers, as usual, went with three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster: Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Kyle Allen. Some clubs in the league chose to start just two quarterbacks. All were purchased during the off-season.

Among those cut on Tuesday was rookie John Rhys Plumlee, who led the team in kick returns during the preseason. Plumlee may be able to make a comeback on the practice squad.

That was merely one of the many variations from the team’s 2023 initial roster construction.

A few changes made in accordance with league regulations, which permitted players to be placed on short-term injured reserve, were also part of the process of getting down to the roster limit. In accordance with that law, the Steelers placed outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon and offensive tackle Dylan Cook on injured reserve, with the intention of having Moon return later this season.

The Steelers can still use that designation six times in the regular season since teams are allowed to use two of the eight designations to return players who were placed on injured reserve before the cutdown deadline.

Before Cook and Moon are allowed to return to practice, they have to miss a minimum of four games. After that, they will have 21 days to practice before the team decides whether to activate them or put them on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

Who made the original 53-man roster for the Steelers appears to have been impacted by those two selections.

The Steelers only had three legitimate outside linebackers on their roster: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig, with Moon scheduled to return. Nonetheless, they started defensive tackle DeMarvin Leal at outside linebacker in their preseason game against Detroit and used him in training camp and the preseason.

Leal was used in two different ways, so the organization kept him and Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams, Isaiahh Loudermilk, and newcomer Logan Lee on their original 53-man roster as defensive linemen. This year’s draft saw Lee selected in the sixth round.

This is an increase from the seven defensive linemen the Steelers had before the 2023 campaign began.

Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, and MyCole Pruitt are among the tight end players that the Steelers kept on the roster compared to their 2023 roster.

Washington, Heyward, and Freiermuth started the season for the Steelers last year.

However, given that the Steelers also cut fullback Jack Colletto, there may be plenty of playing time for all four tight ends due to new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s preference for multiple tight end setups.

Additionally, the squad only kept five wide receivers and five cornerbacks, which is one fewer than what was originally on the 2023 roster.

That might imply that the organization searches for players to fill both of those spots; but, as Smith wants to use more tight end groupings, the requirement for six wide receivers is less.

This offseason, Cordarrelle Patterson was also added by the Steelers. Although Patterson entered the NFL as a wide receiver and has a wealth of experience at that position, he is currently regarded as a running back and one of the best kick return specialists in the league.

Although strong safety, rookie Beanie Bishop is the front-runner to be the nickel corner. During training camp and the preseason, DeShon Elliott has also filled that position. When the club deploys a three-safety package, Damontae Kazee, Elliott, and Minkah Fitzpatrick all take the field together.

Defensive back Ryan Watts, who showed potential in the preseason as a safety with some cornerback talent and as a gunner on punt coverage, is the only 2024 draft pick that did not make the starting lineup. After getting hurt late in the fourth quarter of the team’s preseason game against Detroit, Watts was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season on Tuesday.

Veteran Jalen Elliott, a safety and special teams player, was added to the roster after Watts was declared ineligible for the season.

First-round pick Troy Fautanu and third-round selection Roman Wilson made the original 53-man roster, therefore the organization anticipates both of these rookies who were hurt in the preseason to return to action shortly. As a result, they were not placed on injured reserve.

While Wilson, a wide receiver, sustained a sprained ankle during training camp and missed the entire preseason, Fautanu played right tackle in the team’s opening game of the preseason but has not practiced since.

After being assessed for a concussion during the team’s second preseason game against the Bills, third-round draft pick Payton Wilson, a fellow rookie, was also sidelined for the preseason finale against the Lions. Wilson, along with Mark Robinson, Elandon Roberts, Patrick Queen, and Tyler Matakevich, were the team’s five inside linebackers that were retained.

The eventual return of Cole Holcomb could also strengthen that position. One of the team’s main inside linebackers, Holcomb, will miss at least the first four weeks of the season after being placed on the physically unable to perform list on Tuesday.

After sustaining a serious knee injury halfway through the previous season, Holcomb has not yet resumed practice. However, he may do so this year, making inside linebacker maybe the most depth on the team.