Key facts
- Steelers waived 11 players: TE Bell, OL Crippen, DBs Guilbeau, Henderson, Hill, Lynum, Porter, WRs Keeney-James, Powell, Winstead, RB Tecza
- All NFL teams must reduce rosters to 53 players by Sunday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. ET
- QB Will Howard undergoing concussion evaluation after Thursday preseason game; results pending
- Steelers considering whether to carry four quarterbacks on active roster
- Teams can place players on practice squad (up to 17 total, including one international player)
The cuts
The Pittsburgh Steelers announced the waiver of 11 players as they began the mandatory roster reduction process following the completion of their preseason schedule on Thursday. The released players are: tight end Jaheim Bell, offensive lineman Greg Crippen, defensive backs Jaylon Guilbeau, Jack Henderson, Brandon Hill, Tamon Lynum, and Daryl Porter, wide receivers Jakobie Keeney-James, Cornell Powell, and Isaiah Winstead, and running back Alex Tecza.
Remaining roster decisions
According to NBC Sports, the Steelers still face several roster decisions before the NFL’s Sunday, August 30 deadline at 6 p.m. ET, when all 32 teams must trim their rosters to 53 players. One significant decision involves whether to keep four quarterbacks on their active roster.
Quarterback situation
Will Howard was undergoing evaluation for a concussion after Thursday night’s preseason game, with results pending at the time of reporting. If Howard is placed on injured reserve to start the season, it would allow the Steelers at least four games to evaluate whether maintaining four quarterbacks on the active roster makes sense for the remainder of the season.
The deadline and context
The roster cut-down deadline falls on Sunday, August 30 at 6 p.m. ET, an unusual timing this year due to the San Francisco 49ers’ scheduled flight to Melbourne on Wednesday for their September 10 season opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Teams can carry practice squads of up to 17 players, with one international player slot, after making their 53-man roster cuts.
Sources
Featured photo: Andy from Pittsburgh, United States via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)