We're early into NFL training camps, but the Pittsburgh Steelers have less than four weeks to trim their 90-man roster down to just 53 players... and one forgotten draft pick might already be playing his final practice reps with the team.
When the Steelers hit the field for their second padded practice of training camp on Tuesday, defensive lineman Logan Lee was spotted in shorts on the sidelines, per Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live. The Steelers' 2024 sixth-round draft pick officially missed his second straight day of practice since the pads came on.
And considering he was firmly on the roster bubble before Steelers training camp, this isn't a good sign.
Lee's ailment is unknown to fans and the media, as the team doesn't have to disclose any specific injuries until the week leading up to their first regular-season game. But even if Lee's injury is insignificant, the young defensive lineman can't afford to be missing valuable practice reps after the NFL's ramp-up period and before the team's first preseason game.
Logan Lee has an even bigger uphill battle to crack the Pittsburgh Steelers' 53-man roster after his absence from practice
After landing on the season-ending Injured/Reserve list with a soft tissue injury as a rookie in 2024, Lee suited up for seven games with the Steelers in his second season in 2025. However, to stick around, he needs to show his worth among a talented group of Steelers interior defenders. He can't do that while watching from the sidelines.
Five defensive linemen are guaranteed to make the team: veteran Cam Heyward, 2025 first-round pick Derrick Harmon, 2023 second-round pick Keeanu Benton, and free-agent newcomer Sebastian Joseph-Day. From there, Yahya Black—the Steelers' 2025 fifth-round pick—has a job that's all but secure.
If the Steelers keep six interior defenders, this means that Lee could be among a handful of dogs fighting for the last bone.
Lee's biggest competition is 2026 sixth-round pick Gabriel Rubio and veterans Esezi Otomewo and Dean Lowry, but there's also a chance a player like rookie undrafted free-agent Kevin Jobity Jr. could be a sneaky candidate for the final defensive lineman spot with a strong roster.
Lee will have a shot to show the team why they drafted him and why he should stick around as a rotational depth piece for the 2026 season. However, this comes with a caveat.
Like they say around the league: the best ability is availability. Lee needs to get back on the practice field at Steelers training camp pronto before we can insert his name back into the discussion of roster bubble players who could crack the 53-man roster.
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