We knew transactions were coming after the Steelers initial 53-man roster featured only eight offensive linemen and eight defensive backs, but a whopping EIGHT defensive linemen. Let’s take a look at the transactions that happened this week before Week 1 of the regular season officially begins on Monday.
Who’s Out?
On Wednesday the Steelers announced DE Stephon Tuitt, OT Zach Banner, and RB Anthony McFarland Jr. will start the season on injured reserve. Because they were included on the initial 53, they are all eligible to return as early as week 4 of the regular season. Josh Dobbs, who was placed on IR before making the initial roster, will not be eligible to return in 2021.
DL Henry Mondeaux was released Friday to make room for CB Ahkello Witherspoon. More on Witherspoon later; Mondeaux has put on tape the ability to do a lot of things that teams value in those bottom-of-the-roster type guys, but I hope he circles back.
Who’s In?
The IR moves corresponded with the signing of OG Rashaad Coward, OG BJ Finney, and CB Arthur Maulet to the 53. Maulet provides CB depth and can play in the slot if called upon. Coward is a bit more of a project, but showed flashes in the preseason. Finney has started here in the past before splitting an unimpressive season between Cincinnati and Seattle.
CB Ahkello Witherspoon was acquired in a trade with the Seahawks in exchange for a 2023 5th round draft pick, pending the results of a physical. He’s an outside corner with elite Relative Athletic Scores, a subject in which Joe Haden, Cam Sutton and James Pierre – the Steelers’ top three outside guys – received failing grades. Could he be the guy to run with Tyreek Hill or Marquise Brown if the Steelers make a run?
What’s Left?
The Steelers currently have 6 ILB’s on the roster. Marcus Allen could still be headed to the IR, depending on what’s going on with his hamstring. If the team feels he’s ready, Ulysses Gilbert III could be the next one called into the boss’s office.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazzette reported the Steelers plan to elevate S Karl Joseph to the 53 man roster once he clears the six-day COVID protocol. Joseph – who was signed to the practice squad on Wednesday – was brought in for an interview in March but left without a contract. He’s safety depth who likes playing in the box, wading through traffic and provides a blitz threat from the secondary for a team trying to replace Mike Hilton.
The RB room looks a lot heavier without McFarland. The three guys left on the roster are all cut from the same prototype. Najee Harris is 6’2” and 230 lbs, Kalen Ballage is 6’2” 231 lbs, and Benny Snell – at a diminutive 5’10” – clocks in at 224 lbs. I thought we might see Jaylen Samuels elevated from the practice squad to provide some change-of-pace, but it sounds like the team is happy with the group as is. Of his RB group, Mike Tomlin praised Ballage’s speed (for his size) and Snell’s short-yardage acumen (and strong legs).
Steely Cam 