It is always a hard time of year in the NFL as rosters have to be trimmed from 90 to 53 men. Some players will have another shot elsewhere, some will make a practice squad, and others will have their dreams cut short. Even when the roster and practice squad is set, expect those included on them to potentially see changes over the next week as rosters shuffle.
Those who made the 16-player practice squad will have a chance each week to prove to coaches that they should make the team. If not a roster spot, then they could earn snaps with various practice squad elevations throughout the year. They had strong training camps and preseasons, but they were not able to do enough to take that next step to earn a roster spot yet.
They missed the Steelers roster, but they'll be on the practice squad
La'Mical Perine
No surprise here as La'Mical Perine earned a spot on the practice squad. The Steelers have a talented running back group on the roster, but Perine made good strides this preseason. If injuries happen on the roster, he would be a nice option for Pittsburgh to turn toward. He provides experience and leadership to a group that has plenty of veterans on it.
Kyron Johnson
He had a terrific preseason process and was someone who barely missed the cut on the final roster. Kyron Johnson made a great conversation to push for the final spot at outside linebacker. He might have missed that, but he is a great option to have on the practice squad. Johnson could be a nice developmental piece for the Steelers to create a better player for next year.
Jaray Jenkins
When you watched Jaray Jenkins play this preseason, you could see flashes in his game. He just wasn't consistent enough. Add in the fact that Scotty Miller and Dez Fitzpatrick were able to show more at the position, and it was a recipe for disaster. Jenkins is a nice receiver to keep in a depth role who could potentially make a push come next training camp.
Jacoby Windmon
One of the most underrated performances of the preseason for the Steelers was Jacoby Windmon. He was consistent throughout training camp and had some quality performances in stadium atmospheres. He lost out to a deeply talented room at the inside linebacker position. Windmon could be a great option to make the roster next year.
John Rhys Plumlee
Pittsburgh will keep a quarterback on their practice squad and John Rhys Plumlee seems like a good option for that role. He barely played quarterback throughout the three preseason games with the Steelers. He showed that he was more than willing to become a versatile player both as a receiver and returner. That versatility could pay off and earn him something more than the practice squad.