With the Pittsburgh Steelers’ initial 53-man roster set, the team will spend Wednesday building out most if not all of its practice squad. Should international exemption EDGE Julius Welschof be included, the Steelers can keep up to 17 players (if no international exemption is signed, the team can carry the standard 16). NFL rules also allow the team to carry a handful of veterans as practice squad exceptions.
Below will reflect an updated list of players the Steelers reportedly or officially have signed to their practice squad. The group often consists mostly of players the team released during final cutdowns. But it also usually includes a handful of external additions. Keep in mind the Steelers may not fill their entire practice squad tonight and names could be added over the coming days. After practicing Wednesday, the team is off for the next several days.
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The Steelers have announced their practice squad. Assuming Welschof is still being considered an international player, the team has one spot still available. All 16 signings were with the team during training camp and the summer.
Practice Squad Tracker (16 of 17 spots reported)
RB Lew Nichols
RB Trey Sermon
WR Robert Woods (via Tom Pelissero)
WR Ke’Shawn Williams (via Devin Jackson)
WR Max Hurleman
TE JJ Galbreath (via Mike DeFabo)
OL Steven Jones (via James Crepea)
OT Dylan Cook
DL Kyler Baugh
DL/EDGE DeMarvin Leal (via Jeremy Fowler)
EDGE Julius Welschof
CB Beanie Bishop Jr. (via Tom Pelissero)
CB James Pierre (via Mike DeFabo)
CB D’Shawn Jamison
CB Daryl Porter Jr.
S Sebastian Castro (via Mike DeFabo)
Bishop is headed to the practice squad after being squeezed off the Steelers’ 53 man roster during Tuesday’s cutdowns. The team’s starting slot corner for the first half of 2024, he picked off four passes as a rookie. Offseason additions of Jalen Ramsey and Brandin Echols left Bishop without a slot role while a lack of special teams value also hurt his chances.
Leal, a third-round pick in 2022, is on the practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster. An impressive athlete, Leal has bounced between defensive line and outside linebacker during his time with Pittsburgh. He played the latter this summer. His camp ran hot and cold, but the Steelers will keep him as depth, especially as Nick Herbig nurses a hamstring injury that leaves his Week 1 status uncertain.
Woods was beat out by Scotty Miller for a spot on the 53-man roster. A veteran who can block with sure hands, he seems poised to hang on the practice squad as a No. 6 receiver. His training camp was average, but he caught just one pass for 4 yards in three preseason games. Pelissero’s report notes Woods’ time on the practice squad could be “temporary,” but he’s set to stay in Pittsburgh for now.
Galbreath and Castro were part of Pittsburgh’s undrafted pool. Galbreath enjoyed a hot start to camp but cooled down throughout the summer. Still, he was available and durable and played plenty on special teams. Athletic with good hands, he’ll serve as a No. 5 tight end. Castro came on strong throughout the preseason and finished with 11 tackles. Tough, physical, and a reliable tackler, he finished second on the Steelers in special teams reps this summer, only trailing ILB Carson Bruener.
Jones signed a Reserve/Futures contract with Pittsburgh after the 2024 season ended. Physical with good size, he played right guard and right tackle throughout the summer. A lack of foot speed caused issues protecting against speed rushers, but his durability, versatility, and power played in his favor. He impressed most among the reserve offensive linemen.
Undrafted out of Indiana, Williams flashed his speed and return ability this summer. He made an impact in the preseason opener with two long catches, one a jump ball touchdown he secured. He returned every punt this summer and showed versatility as a receiver and multi-phase special teamer. He also proved to be a willing blocker.
Pierre may not have boomeranged back to the 53, but he begins the year on the practice squad. An ace special teamer and gunner, he was buried on a deep cornerback depth chart this summer. With inconsistent play, Pierre made picks but also gave up big plays. Will Pittsburgh elevate him Week 1? If not, who will take his gunner role? Pierre’s appeared in 81 games with the Steelers since signing as an UDFA in 2020.
Nichols and Sermon had strong summers. Nichols signed following Cordarrelle Patterson’s release and impressed inside stadiums. He carried the ball 11 times for 87 yards, a blistering 7.9 YPC, while adding five receptions for 36 yards in three preseason games. Sermon did a little bit of everything and showed a well-rounded game offensively and on special teams.
Hurleman had a hot start to camp but faded toward the end, dropping a would-be touchdown against Tampa Bay. Still, he showcased his athleticism and versatility on offense and special teams.
Cook failed to crack the 53-man roster but lands on the practice squad. He’s yet to appear in an NFL game. Cook has left and right tackle versatility. Pittsburgh carried only three true tackles on its 53: Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, and Calvin Anderson.
Baugh signed during training camp after injuries hit the defensive line. A squatty body with power and energy, he picked up a sack in the preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers.
Welschof should still be included as the team’s international exemption, which allowed the Steelers to carry 91 players on its offseason roster. A second-year UDFA who began his college career at Michigan, he possesses good size and run defense. His pass-rush ceiling, however, is limited.
Jamison is a feisty nickel who benefitted from extra reps after injuries piled up in the summer. Against Tampa Bay, he made up for a roughing-the-kicker penalty with a forced fumble. Porter Jr. was signed later in camp and is the first player to wear No. 39 since Minkah Fitzpatrick’s trade. He earned praise from DC Teryl Austin, who hinted Porter would land on the practice squad.
