The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up their first preseason game, and the fallout from their battle with the Jaguars will be notable as we continue through August. Roster battles are getting closer to being finished as players start to pull ahead in their respective position groups.
For those young guys who didn’t get to play because of injury, this first game is a huge blow.
One such name is Cory Trice Jr. A former seventh-round pick, Trice Jr. seemed like a draft steal. He was productive at Purdue and has rare size for the position. Injuries held him back at school and caused his draft stock to fall, but he felt like a guy who could develop into a quality starter.
His first two seasons haven’t been great. He was lost to an injury in year one and battled health once again in year two. When on the field, Trice has played well enough, but he hasn’t ascended or stayed healthy with the Steelers.
Once again, health caused him to miss the first preseason game, and now things appear dire. Not only has his potential starter role evaporated this offseason, but his chances of making the roster are quickly slipping through his fingers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers may not need Cory Trice Jr. after strong showing from their other DBs
After an offseason of overhaul, Trice Jr. needed a strong camp to hold onto his role in dime and as the top backup outside cornerback. He hasn’t done that yet.
It looked like veteran Brandon Echols was going to compete with him for that top backup role. With Trice on the sideline and Echols excelling, that battle seems to be wrapped up. Chuck Clark has been as advertised and could figure into the dime defense. All of Trice Jr.'s opportunities are going to different players.
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He can still make the roster, but his competition for a depth role is stiff. Beanie Bishop is the best backup slot cornerback (something Trice Jr. hasn't played) while James Pierre has put together some good summer tape and is a core special teams player (something that Trice Jr. isn’t).
It seems like a stretch that the team keeps seven cornerbacks right now and four safeties. That means that one of Bishop, Pierre, and Trice Jr. will have to be cut. You can’t tell me that Trice Jr. is more deserving of a spot than the other names right now.
As disappointing as it will be to see him go from potential second option to top backup to now missing the roster, it seems like the likely scenario for him. Unless he can get healthy and play lights out, his time in Pittsburgh is circling the drain.