The Pittsburgh Steelers have now made their first round of cuts following their third preseason game and with a little more than one week to go until the roster must be set at 53 players, there are several offensive players left on the roster that are fighting for just a few available spots.
Here now is a look at the 17 offensive players that are either inside or outside the bubble right now.
Isaac Redman – RB – You would think that Redman would be the safest one on this list right now, but he has only played in one preseason game and carried the ball twice. Yes, I think he makes it, but I wouldn’t bet a million dollars on it just the same.
Jonathan Dwyer – RB – Dwyer has his warts but at least he has stayed on the field. Did they bring in Jones to try to take his spot? Like Redman, I still have a small doubt, but with Baron Batch now out of the picture, you have to like his chances.
Felix Jones – RB – As long as LaRod Stephens-Howling is not down for long, you would have to think Jones is battling Dwyer or Redman for a spot on the roster. He will get his tires kicked a ton Thursday night.
Guy Whimper – T/G – Whimper might have to make the final roster by default should the Steelers not find anything on the waiver wire soon. Do they really want to guarantee his contract for the season?
David Johnson – TE – If his knee holds up, Johnson figures to be the No. 2 tight end to start the season. They will likely give him plenty of work Thursday night.
Derek Moye – WR – Moye took a big step forward with his play Saturday night and might have separated himself a little from Brown. Now, will the Steelers keep four or five wide receivers? At worst, you have to think that he has a shot at the practice squad once again.
Justin Brown – WR – Brown is pretty much in the same boat as Moye and roster numbers could wind up claiming both of them. Beings as neither he or Moye are considered special teams guys, that won’t help their causes.
Michael Palmer – TE – Outside of a few touchdown saving special teams tackles, Palmer really hasn’t done anything. Color me surprised if he makes the final 53.
Jamie McCoy – TE- Being as he is not eligible for the practice squad, McCoy needs to make the 53 or be gone for good.
Chris Hubbard – G – Could Hubbard be the surprise eighth offensive lineman to start the season that will be on the inactive list? He has logged 101 snaps on offense at left guard in the preseason and would be a candidate to shuttle back and forth to the practice squad. Maybe the team thinks Ramon Foster can be the emergency fourth tackle. With Justin Cheadle now being waived injured, it clears the path for Hubbard to make the practice squad if he isn’t the eighth offensive lineman.
Reggie Dunn – KR/PR – Nothing has changed with Dunn ever since he was signed as an undrafted free agent. Either he makes the team as a return specialist or he is gone for good.
Alvester Alexander – RB – At this point you cant rule Alexander out for the practice squad.
Joe Long – T – I will be surprised if Long makes the final cut, so he has to hope for a return trip to the practice squad and that’s not out of the question.
Nathan Overbay – TE – Overbay has two things going for him and that is health and practice squad eligibility. Due to the lack of healthy players at the tight end position, he very well could start the season on the eight man practice squad.
Kashif Moore – WR – No snaps on offense since the preseason opener. He is just a body for the final preseason game.
Joe Madsen – C – Zero snaps on offense in the first three preseason games is all you need to know here. He might get a chance to play Thursday night, but it will be too late.
Mike Golic Jr. – G – Like Madsen, Golic has yet to play a snap on offense. In short, the best that both can hope for is the practice squad and that might be a reach.
