5 players on the Steelers initial 53-man roster who won't last the whole season

The Pittsburgh Steelers have their initial roster in place ahead of Week 1, but that doesn't mean the same 53 players will be on the team when the 2024 season wraps up. As the year marches on, the injury bug will bite, and a few unfortunate players won't finish out the season.

However, injuries aren't the only way players can lose their jobs. Pittsburgh had a handful of players make the roster by the skin of their teeth. These players either made the roster by default or came at a position with excess depth that makes them expendable.

If their performance isn't on par with what Mike Tomlin has come to expect, they could be thrown back on the pile and replaced with a free agent or player from the practice squad. These players aren't guaranteed to last the whole season on the Steelers' roster.

Ryan McCollum, C

The Steelers already suffered two significant injuries to their interior offensive line. Center Nate Herbig sustained a shoulder injury that landed him on season-ending IR, while left guard Isaac Seumalo suffered a pectoral injury that has him listed as week to week.

These injuries made it necessary for Ryan McCollum to stick around... for now. Though Herbig won't return this year, the Steelers could look to go a different direction once Seumalo returns. Pittsburgh could also look to upgrade the center depth behind rookie Zach Frazier.

Logan Lee, DL

Many in Steelers media were surprised to see rookie defensive lineman Logan Lee make the initial 53-man roster. Lee didn't do much to set himself apart from the pack during his first training camp and preseason, and Pittsburgh shockingly elected to keep an eighth interior defender upon roster cutdowns.

If the team decides that depth is needed elsewhere, the defensive line will be the first position they look to for a roster move. Lee is at the bottom of the depth chart and may not see the field. Don't be surprised if he's cut at some point and circles back to the practice squad.

Mark Robinson, LB

Mark Robinson can wipe the sweat off his brow after hanging onto his job for the third straight season. Despite the Steelers signing Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen and selecting Payton Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Robinson's spot on the Steelers' initial 53-man roster was secure as Cole Holcomb was unable to return to the field this summer.

If Holcomb gets up to strength and returns from the PUP list, Robinson is going to be the odd man out at the linebacker position. Robinson's job security relies heavily on the health of the linebackers on the team. When they're all ready to see the field, he won't be.

Jalen Elliott, S

It's probably fair to label Jalen Elliott as the 53rd player on the Steelers' roster. Elliott was the biggest surprise to make the team this year. Not only did the Steelers keep a fifth safety, but we thought this spot was going to rookie Ryan Watts.

Unfortunately, Watts sustained a stinger in the closing minutes of the preseason finale, and the Steelers decided to shut him down for the year on season-ending IR. Elliott has 4.8 speed and there's nothing about this game that suggests he will last the year in Pittsburgh.

Scotty Miller, WR

The Steelers need to find an answer at the wide receiver position, but Scotty Miller might not be the ticket. Roman Wilson is itching to return to the field and between Wilson, Miller, and Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh has unnecessary redundancy with slot receivers who can play some snaps on the outside.

Wilson isn't going anywhere, and Austin is still out to prove himself as a fourth-round pick in 2022. If the Steelers get rid of one of these players to add a big-bodied outside receiver, Miller is going to be the player who gets the axe.