The Pittsburgh Steelers must cut their roster to 75 by 4 p.m. ET Tuesday and to 53 by 4 p.m. ET Saturday. Here’s a final 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones, Bruce Gradkowski
The Steelers typically carry three quarterbacks, so Gradkowski hangs on assuming his hamstring injury heals by Week 2 or 3. Yes, Jones is still the primary backup. The Steelers like his growth.
RUNNING BACK (3): DeAngelo Williams, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Daryl Richardson*
Le'Veon Bell’s Week 4 return from suspension likely will knock Richardson out of play. But the shifty former Los Angeles Ram has worked his way into the rotation for now.
FULLBACK (1): Roosevelt Nix
Nix has minimal competition at this spot, and though he’s been nursing an injury in recent weeks, he should be ready for Week 1.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Marcus Gilbert, Ramon Foster, Alejandro Villanueva, Ryan Harris, Cody Wallace, Chris Hubbard, B.J. Finney
Harris is a valuable swing tackle and Hubbard can play all five positions on the line. Finney, a feisty practice squad player, slides into the lineup after fourth-round pick Jerald Hawkins goes to injured reserve with a torn labrum.
TIGHT END (3): Jesse James, David Johnson, Xavier Grimble
This is assuming Ladarius Green (ankle) starts the season on the PUP list. If Green recovers by Week 1, the Steelers will either keep four tight ends or try to stash Grimble on the practice squad if he clears waivers. Johnson is a valuable run-blocker, which the Steelers need.
WIDE RECEIVER (5): Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Eli Rogers, Sammie Coates
Rogers is starting in the slot for Pittsburgh. Cobi Hamilton has shown flashes of athleticism but will come up short. Five is enough for now.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Dan McCullers, Javon Hargrave, Ricardo Matthews, L.T. Walton
Walton was uninspiring for parts of camp, but has garnered respect from teammates such as Cam Heyward, and the team needs depth at this spot. That’s why Matthews stays on too.
LINEBACKER (11): Ryan Shazier, Lawrence Timmons, Vince Williams, Bud Dupree, Jarvis Jones, James Harrison, Arthur Moats, Anthony Chickillo, L.J. Fort, Tyler Matakevich, Steven Johnson
This is the Steelers’ deepest defensive position. Matakevich, a seventh-round rookie, plays his way onto a crowded inside linebacker group for special teams work. Fort has been good too. The odd man out might be veteran Steven Johnson, but he’s valuable on special teams, so he stays in this projection. The Steelers might try to stash sixth-round pass-rusher Travis Feeney on the practice squad.
CORNERBACK (4): William Gay, Ross Cockrell, Artie Burns, Montell Garner
Yet again, the Steelers have depth issues at cornerback. Senquez Golson is out for at least the first half of the season, and Burns missed much of the preseason with a quad injury. Garner gets the edge over Donald Washington as a fourth corner, but don’t be surprised if the team adds a veteran, possibly Keenan Lewis if healthy. This position does not feel finalized by any stretch.
SAFETY (5): Mike Mitchell, Robert Golden, Sean Davis, Shamarko Thomas, Doran Grant
Davis is basically a corner and safety, so he could go on either list. There isn't a lot of depth here but maybe Grant, making the transition from cornerback, can catch up.
SPECIALISTS (3): K Chris Boswell, P Jordan Berry, LS Greg Warren
This one is straightforward. None of these guys is in jeopardy of losing his job.