For many players who narrowly missed landing on an NFL roster in 2024, there's still hope. The practice squad often has a negative connotation surrounding it, but holding this position still means these players are the runner-ups to the best football players in the world.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are putting the finishing touches on their 16-man practice squad. Only a lucky few will be promoted to the active roster during the 2024 season. Much of this depends on the health of players at their position on the 53-man roster as well as player performance.
If someone goes down with an injury or their performance simply isn't cutting it, a player from the Steelers' practice squad could see an elevation. Here are the practice squad players most likely to see the field in 2024.
Thomas Graham, CB
Many Steelers bloggers and those in the media believed Thomas Graham would make the roster as Pittsburgh's final cornerback. His ability to play in the outside as well as the slot was thought of as an asset. However, Graham was a roster cut just before the deadline.
The good news is that Graham quickly landed on his feet on the Steelers' 2024 practice squad. If Beanie Bishop struggles early in the season or the defense isn't getting enough help from the slot, the team could turn to Graham, who had a solid summer in Pittsburgh. Those ahead of him could be on a short leash.
Jack Colletto, FB
If the Steelers suffer an injury at the tight end position, that doesn't automatically mean that TE Rodney Williams is the practice squad player receiving the promotion. This may depend on which tight end is injured.
The versatility of players like Connor Heyward and MyCole Pruitt likely led to the decision to keep four tight ends instead of a true fullback like Jack Colletto. However, Colletto could be one tight end injury away from seeing the field.
His path to the 53-man roster doesn't necessarily depend on an injury. If the Steelers aren't seeing the success they hope to find on the ground, they could demote a player who isn't performing well in order to make room for Colletto on the roster. You can bet he will be chomping at the bit to blow a few players up in the running game if his number is called.
Jonathan Ward, RB
We can't expect Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren to stay as healthy as they were last season. Remarkably, they were the only two running backs to carry the football for the Steelers in 2023. That won't be the case this year. If Harris, Warren, or Cordarrelle Patterson get banged up, Jonathan Ward could be the next man up.
Ward was arguably the most impressive running back not named Harris or Warren during Pittsburgh's 2024 training camp and preseason. With experience and a blend of traits, Ward can get a few carries here and there if called up to the active roster while serving a role on special teams.
Anthony Averett, CB
Like it or not, the Pittsburgh Steelers value veterans with experience. Much like Levi Wallace in 2023, Averett was hard to watch at times this summer. His last time seeing the field with the Raiders in 2022 wasn't much better.
Still, if the Steelers suffer an injury to one of their boundary cornerbacks and Mike Tomlin doesn't feel like he's ready to trust Cory Trice Jr. or Darius Rush, Averett could rejoin the cornerback room in Pittsburgh. Averett has 27 NFL starts and has played in 51 games since 2018.