Week 2 of the preseason is here as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Buffalo Bills. There is only one game after this one, and opportunities are starting to get thinned out since the conclusion of training camp. Only practices and in-game performances will guide the coaching staff to make final decisions for the 53-man roster.
Last week saw some quality performances for several members of Pittsburgh, but some could have done better things. This is the perfect time for them to rebound if they wish to turn their chances around and make the team.
Each player has to prove their worth to the club to make the roster, and a big performance against the Bills could get that started.
QB Russell Wilson
Mike Tomlin announced that Russell Wilson will be suiting up to play Buffalo this week. It will be his first in-game action in Pittsburgh since signing as a free agent this offseason. He remains the favorite to be the starting quarterback for the Steelers despite missing the majority of the preseason process thus far with a nagging calf injury. Wilson has finally worked his way back, but he needs to put this "quarterback controversy" to bed.
Justin Fields has been a solid option at the position since Wilson nursed his injury. Most in Pittsburgh know that Wilson will be the guy, but because of his injury, those quarterback questions have resurfaced. Wilson needs to go out and dominate every snap that he is in the game. If he fails to do that and Fields remains solid, then this could drag on further.
WR Quez Watkins
No one had a worse performance in the first preseason game than Quez Watkins. He looked lost as a returner and even turned the ball over. He looked out of place on special teams, which was a big problem for him to have. His best shot at making the roster is showing he can provide snaps as a punter returner when called upon.
This seems like the make-or-break game for Watkins in a Steelers uniform. If he fumbles another punt, he could be cut by the next day. He has enjoyed a solid week of practice to close out training camp, so hopefully for his sake, he can carry that into this game against Buffalo. Watkins has to show he can be reliable on special teams and as a receiver.
DL Logan Lee
It takes a mountain to climb for late-round rookies to make the final roster. Things have been decent for Logan Lee throughout his first training camp with the Steelers. Decent doesn't mean he will make the team though. Finding the structure of the defensive line could be tricky, but Lee hasn't forced experts to find ways of listing him on their 53-man roster projections yet.
He might be best on the practice squad for this season and elevated if injuries arise. He needs to have a monster conclusion to the preseason to beat out the competition that he is going up against. Guys like Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal, and Dean Lowry are in his way. If he can find a way to at least match two of those guys down the stretch, then he could sneak his way onto the roster.
RB Daijan Edwards
Sometimes it takes time for rookies to adapt to the NFL, especially undrafted players. Daijan Edwards was an accomplished running back coming out of Georgia, but he failed to be one of the selections in the draft. He started slow at training camp, but he has started to turn a corner over the past couple of weeks. Edwards might be battling for a practice squad spot rather than making the roster.
Three running back slots are cemented on this team already and it is unlikely they will keep four. Edwards had a couple of strong runs last week against the Texans. If he can build off of that performance against the Bills, then he could start a conversation to keep four at his position. Edwards is an interesting player, but he might have to sit on the practice squad unless he bursts onto the scene.