Jack Henderson Steelers practice squad battles
Jack Henderson Steelers practice squad battles
While the focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster over the coming days will center around the 53-man group, there’s another part of the team that shouldn’t be forgotten. The day after putting together an initial 53, the Steelers will form their practice squad. Likely a 17-man group thanks to EDGE Julius Welschof and his international exemption.
As Mike McCarthy has preached all year, the Steelers will need to win with more than their top 53. He’s consistently referenced the practice squad as playing a key depth role once injuries strike during the year. On Monday, he took it a step further.
“It’s gonna take probably more than the 68 players to win a championship,” McCarthy told reporters via the team’s YouTube channel. “I’ve been part of one championship, and you’ll hear me say this all the time because I believe, I think it’s a principle of how you develop and build a roster. It took 77 players in my one experience when we were able to get that done. It’s a mindset I hold true to.”
With that in mind, here are four practice squad battles worth paying attention to in Thursday’s finale.
Offensive Line – Jack Driscoll vs Doug Nester
A veteran in Driscoll versus a younger option in Nester. Neither has particularly impressed this year, but Pittsburgh will keep multiple offensive linemen on its practice squad. Possibly up to three. Still, only one of Driscoll and Nester could get the nod, with players like C Ryan McCollum, OG Steven Jones, or external additions nabbing the other spots.
Driscoll can play either tackle spot. Nester is even more flexible and could align at tackle or guard. He even dabbled at center during individual periods in camp, but never saw action in the middle during team drills.
Second Wide Receiver
Should he miss the 53-man roster and pass through waivers, WR Max Hurleman will land on the practice squad. Who will join him? A whole group of internal candidates is jockeying for position. Brandon Smith had the inside track for much of the summer but appeared to pull a hamstring in the preseason opener and is still recovering.
The rest of the group is jumbled together. Levi Wentz, Jakobie Keeney-James, Cornell Powell, and Isaiah Winstead. Who can make a play against Buffalo, on offense or special teams, to separate them from the group? So far, no one has stood out. That could leave Pittsburgh relying on its pro personnel department to find outside help, but the preseason finale is a chance for a name on the roster to stick.
Safety – Sebastian Castro vs Jack Henderson
A fun battle for a practice squad spot. Henderson is bigger; he looks like a linebacker and made plays on defense against the Jets but missed two tackles on punt coverage. Castro has logged a ton of special teams snaps and been a steady but low-impact player. Unfortunately, Castro was spotted wearing a boot during a recent practice and his status for the finale, and when he’ll be healthy, is murky.
Who will win out? This one could go down to the wire. Henderson working as second-team personal protector in the preseason might give him an edge.
Cornerback – Doneiko Slaughter vs D’Shawn Jamison vs Devan Boykin
Pittsburgh is likely to keep multiple cornerbacks on the practice squad. At least two. That could still leave an odd man out. Slaughter is physical. Jamison has great speed and some NFL experience, though he gave up a touchdown and long conversion against the Jets. Boykin has had a nice summer and come on strong in preseason action after a quiet beginning to training camp.
All three are versatile and can play multiple spots: Slaughter and Jamison inside and outside cornerback, Boykin slot corner and free safety.
You could even mention Daryl Porter and Tamon Lynum in this conversation, but neither has stood out as much as the three above.
Even with 17 spots, there still could be some tough choices at the very end. Let’s see who runs through the finish line.