As the Pittsburgh Steelers approach their final preseason game on the calendar, their decisions for those on the roster bubble have intensified. Players who have produced a solid training camp and preseason campaign might've done a lot of quality work, but it still might not be enough. Those who have impressed but have the numbers stacked against them might get cut.
Losing your job in the NFL is never easy when rosters are trimmed to 53 players.
Being released isn't the end of the line for some members of the Steelers. The team will sign 16 players to its practice squad, which could include several notable preseason performers. Maybe there isn't enough room on the roster, or someone else did better, but this could be their shot to stick around.
Practice squad might be final preseason destination for these Pittsburgh Steelers
Ke'Shawn Williams, WR
Making the roster was always a difficult reality for Ke'Shawn Williams to grasp. The undrafted rookie signed with Pittsburgh with hopes of sticking in a receiver room full of question marks. Williams might've gained ground to make the team, but he hasn't done enough. He had a strong training camp, but he hasn't produced massive numbers through two preseason contests.
He hasn't been quiet during in-game action, but he needed to do more to remain in the conversation to make the 53-man roster. The rookie playmaker shows promise, and placing him on the practice squad to develop and compete for a roster spot next year would be the best course of action.
Williams has shown glimpses of talent, but unless he has a massive finish to the preseason, they will try to store him on the practice squad.
Carson Bruener, LB
There is a slight chance for the Steelers' seventh-round pick from this past draft to get back into the roster conversation. Time has started to flee in a hurry, but it's not all bad news for Carson Bruener. He has battled at training camp with Mark Robinson for the final spot at the inside linebacker position. Unfortunately for the rookie, Robinson has done a better job.
Bruener had a clear path to make the 53-man roster, but he hasn't done enough to jump ahead of Robinson. Expect the rookie to get cut when the depth chart is situated. He has shown some glimpses of talent, but he hasn't been consistent enough throughout this process. Bruener would be a valuable addition to the practice squad as a contingency in case of injuries.
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Max Hurleman, WR/RB
Pittsburgh has been throwing Max Hurleman into the fire throughout the preseason process. He has spent time with the running back group, but he has also spent a ton of time with the receiving corps. Hurleman caught the eyes of many fans during the first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He might've snuck into 53-man roster projections, but it's unlikely.
He didn't have a massive game during Week 2 of the preseason against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While the undrafted rookie has performed well throughout training camp and up to this point, the odds remain stacked against him. His addition to the practice squad would be a win for a player of his ilk.
Hurleman needs further development before he has a realistic shot at making the roster.
Sebastian Castro, S
After a slow start to the preseason, Sebastian Castro bounced back with a strong performance. The undrafted rookie had a chance to make the roster after Minkah Fitzpatrick was traded, but that opportunity has since diminished. He has an uphill battle to climb, but if he builds off of last week's performance during the final preseason game, he will jump back into the conversation.
It has been a steep learning curve for Castro, but things are starting to click. The Steelers are thin at the position, so they could use some capable depth. The rookie defensive back has shown an ability to be a dependable player who isn't afraid to lay some hard hits. His chances of sticking on the 53-man roster are small, but the practice squad might be better for him as he adapts to NFL speed.