The Pittsburgh Steelers are coping with mounting accidents, and, accordingly, they’ve some selections to make. They’ve a number of gamers coping with new illnesses this week, however they need to suppose twice earlier than including to the Reserve/Injured Record. Groups might solely designate eight gamers for return for the season, they usually have already used two designations.
Each Nick Herbig and DeMarvin Leal suffered accidents final Sunday, for instance, and Damontae Kazee is down as nicely. Are any of these accidents important sufficient to warrant a four-week keep on IR? Even when they’re, the Steelers might determine to not. To search out out why, let’s check out their Reserve/Injured Record because it at present stands.
Even having already activated OLB Jeremiah Moon, the Steelers nonetheless have 11 gamers remaining on IR. A few of these gamers are ineligible for a return designation, particularly Nate Herbig, Ryan Watts, and David Perales. Others we already know are out for the 12 months are Cameron Johnston and James Daniels.
And the Steelers already used a return designation on OL Dylan Cook dinner. Realistically, the Steelers have already got 5 gamers they could need to designated for return of the six remaining spots. In concept, then, they will solely afford to put another participant on IR with the hope of bringing him again. Let’s take a look at the 5 gamers in query.
CB Cory Trice Jr.
The second-year cornerback suffered a hamstring damage in Week 3 towards the Los Angeles Chargers. Serving because the Steelers’ prime inside reserve, he got here down with a vital interception in Week 2. Cory Trice Jr. is a participant they might clearly wish to convey again with one among their six remaining designations. He’s eligible to start practising subsequent week, already on IR for the previous three video games.
ILB Tyler Matakevich
The Steelers introduced again Tyler Matakevich in July to bolster their particular groups, and he proved his price—which was the minimal, anyway. And you understand Danny Smith likes him some Soiled Pink, so is one other apparent candidate to return. Matakevich injured his hamstring in Week 2 towards the Broncos, so he’s eligible to apply subsequent week. A participant should spend not less than 4 video games on IR earlier than he can return to apply. As soon as he begins practising, the Steelers should activate him to the 53-man roster inside 21 days or he stays on IR.
WR Ben Skowronek
Although the Steelers signed him to the apply squad initially, Ben Skowronek performed within the first two video games as an elevation. After struggling an damage, they signed him to the 53-man roster so they might transfer him to the common Reserve/Injured Record. Doing so made him eligible for a return designation, so, once more, that’s one other apparent and sure utilization.
DL Logan Lee
A rookie sixth-round decide, Logan Lee surprisingly made the preliminary 53-man roster, however that’s maybe solely ceremonial. They positioned him on the Reserve/Injured Record earlier than the opener, Lee already injured. Groups can designate two gamers for return whereas placing them on IR earlier than the ultimate cutdowns, they usually already used these spots on Moon and Cook dinner. By ready, they made Lee eligible to return, however he’s not an apparent return choice. He’s eligible to start practising now, however there are not any indicators of him nearing participation.
OL Troy Fautanu
The Steelers’ 2024 first-round decide suffered a critical damage and is probably going misplaced for the common season. Nevertheless, Troy Fautanu might presumably return if the group makes the playoffs. That’s wanting much less possible than after they first put him on IR, however they could need to maintain a spot for him.
Wanting on the record above, that’s as much as 4 of six remaining return designations already allotted, albeit unofficially. The Steelers don’t have to instantly designate anyone for return after the ultimate cutdowns.
However they do have to consider carefully earlier than including to the record of anyone they clearly need again. I’m unsure, for instance, the Steelers would need to put Nick Herbig on IR even when they suppose he’ll miss 5 video games. It’s nonetheless early within the season and extra gamers will go down with accidents. With solely eight return designations, and as much as six already accounted for, it’s important to preserve what you’ve.
