The preseason is a time for players to shine or stumble, and Friday night's loss to the Houston Texans revealed plenty of both for the Pittsburgh Steelers. While some players had standout moments, others struggled mightily.
Fortunately, these players will have two more chances to redeem themselves in Pittsburgh's final two exhibition games before roster cuts. However, here are three players whose stock is currently plummeting after the preseason opener against the Texans.
WR Quez Watkins
For a player like Quez Watkins, every opportunity in a crowded Steelers wide receiver room counts. Watkins, already on the fringe of making the team, only hurt his chances further with a poor performance on Friday night.
During the preseason, players vying for a spot on the final 53-man roster must excel on special teams, as their value to the team hinges on this versatility. Unfortunately, Watkins' muffed punt, which led to points for the opposing team, does not bode well for his prospects.
Watkins will need to significantly improve in training camp and the remaining preseason games if he hopes to prove himself trustworthy enough to return punts or contribute in the passing game.
OG Nate Herbig
As the first-team center, this wasn't the start Herbig needed to make a strong case for the Week 1 starter role. Two fumbled snaps, even if partially on Justin Fields, are simply unacceptable at this level especially when under center.
To make matters worse, Zach Frazier, who has had a solid training camp, stepped in and immediately improved the offensive line's performance. This rocky debut for Herbig leaves the door wide open for Frazier to claim the starting spot. It's likely just a matter of time before Frazier takes over as the full-time center.
K Matthew Wright
For a player like Matthew Wright, who was unlikely to make the final roster with Chris Boswell locked in as the team's kicker, the preseason serves as an audition for other teams. It's an opportunity to showcase your skills and put good film out there in case you don’t make the cut.
Unfortunately for Wright, missing an extra point during this crucial period isn’t ideal, as teams on the lookout for kickers heading into the season may see it as a red flag.
What's next for these Steelers?
There are still two preseason games left, providing these three players, as well as others on the roster, additional chances to demonstrate their abilities and earn more opportunities. This Saturday's preseason matchup against the Bills will be especially significant, as it will give us a closer look at the starters who didn’t participate in the game against the Texans.
We expect to see an increased number of snaps from these key players, allowing us to better see what's to expect this season