Since the Pittsburgh Steelers opened training camp at the end of July, eight players have been added to the roster. Here is a recap of the seven that remain.
D\’Anthony Batiste – Batiste was signed as a free agent after guard Nik Embernate was lost for the season with his knee injury. Last year with the Arizona Cardinals, Batiste started 10 games at left tackle and it wasn\’t a pretty sight. In other words, if he makes the 53 man roster, something has gone terribly wrong.
Buddy Jackson – Jackson was claimed off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs after several cornerbacks were sidelined with injuries. The University of Pitt product really doesn\’t have a shot at making the 53 man roster, so he needs to get enough good play put on tape in order to strengthen his resume for later.
Ryan Steed – Steed, A Furman product, caught on with the New Orleans Saints last season as a member of their practice squad, but was finally waived by them a few weeks ago. He was originally signed by the New York Jets following the 2012 NFL Draft but released during the cut down. Like Jackson, Steed doesn\’t have a realistic shot at making the 53 man roster.
Devin Smith – Smith was recently released by the Dallas Cowboys and is currently the newest cornerback on the roster. While at Wisconsin, the 5-11, 186-pound cornerback recorded 57 tackles and four interceptions as a senior.
Michael Palmer – Palmer spent three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons where he was more known for his blocking ability than anything else. He caught on with the Seattle Seahawks just a few weeks ago, but waived on Wednesday. The Steelers claimed him off waivers Thursday because Matt Spaeth is obviously expected to be sidelined for while after getting injured on Wednesday. Depending on how long Spaeth is out, Palmer could wind up competing against Jamie McCoy for a spot on the roster.
Nathan Overbay – Overbay\’s claim to fame is that he is related to former Lyle Overbay, the former first baseman of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is merely a camp body at the tight end position and has no shot at making the roster.
Alvester Alexander – Alexander was signed when undrafted free agent Curtis McNeal was waived injured with an unspecified injury. Like nearly all the others on this list, Alexander is merely a player competing for a spot on the practice squad as the Steelers are only expected to keep four running backs and one fullback on their final 53 man roster.
Of the seven players on this list, only Palmer has an outside shot at making the final 53 man roster and that shot is tied to how long Spaeth is ultimately sidelined.
