Steelers Rookie Faces Remarkable Preseason Test To Avoid Practice Squad

The Pittsburgh Steelers did not draft Eli Heidenreich expecting him to have a conventional path to making the 53-man roster. His versatility created the intrigue, but it also left him competing for work in several crowded areas at once. The hometown rookie may need more than a useful summer to survive final cuts. One longtime Steelers observer believes his preseason must become impossible to ignore.

Heidenreich arrived with one of Pittsburgh’s best draft-weekend stories. The Steelers selected the Mt. Lebanon graduate with the 230th overall pick after he watched the draft unfold outside of Acrisure Stadium. He grew up supporting the franchise, starred for the Navy Midshipmen, and then returned home with an opportunity few late seventh-round picks receive.

The story does not create a roster spot. Pittsburgh currently lists Heidenreich as a running back/receiver, which reflects the range he showed at Navy. He finished his college career with 109 catches for 1,994 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding 1,157 rushing yards and seven scores. The numbers explain why the Steelers wanted to explore several uses for him, but the current depth chart makes each path difficult.

Jim Wexell offered a blunt projection during a recent discussion about the Steelers. Wexell currently sees the practice squad as the most likely destination unless Heidenreich produces an extraordinary preseason.

“Unless he looks like Christian McCaffrey in the preseason, I don’t see him making the 53,” Wexell said. “He’ll probably get a nice salary to come back on the practice squad.”

The comparison sets an extreme standard, but Wexell’s larger point is clear. Heidenreich cannot rely on being interesting. He has to show the Steelers a role they would immediately miss if another team claimed him. A few catches from the backfield or one productive return may not be enough when Pittsburgh begins comparing its final offensive and special teams spots.

Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle are positioned to handle most of the backfield workload. Kaleb Johnson remains a recent third-round investment, while Travis Homer brings established special teams experience. The official roster also includes other backs and hybrid options competing for limited jobs.

Heidenreich’s clearest advantage is that he does not have to win through one assignment. He can carry the ball, release as a receiver, align away from the backfield and contribute in the kicking game. Pittsburgh’s earlier look at his one legitimate path centered on special teams because versatility only helps if it fills active game-day needs.

The challenge is proving enough competence in several jobs without becoming merely average at all of them. A player labeled versatile can still be difficult to dress if the staff does not trust him as a blocker, protector, returner or coverage player. Heidenreich needs at least one dependable calling card, then enough secondary value to separate himself from a more traditional reserve.

Preseason games should give him the best opportunity to create that argument. The Steelers can place him in the backfield, motion him into space and test whether his Navy production translates against NFL speed. His chances may depend less on the total yards than on how many different problems he can solve within the same game.

Pass protection will be one important test. A young back cannot earn third-down work only because he catches well. He must recognize pressure, step into the correct assignment and protect the quarterback without hesitation. One missed blitz pickup can carry more weight than an explosive reception when coaches are deciding whom they can trust in September.

Special teams may be even more decisive. Heidenreich has to show he can cover kicks, block, tackle or help in the return game. Pittsburgh will not reserve a spot for a developmental offensive package if another player offers immediate value across multiple coverage units. His local connection gives the competition attention, but it cannot affect the final football decision.

The offensive package still has to look different enough to justify the roster space. Mike McCarthy can use motion, screens and backfield alignments to create favorable touches, but several players can handle pieces of that work. Heidenreich must prove his combination is uncommon enough to earn a weekly place rather than becoming an idea saved for the practice squad.

His preseason workload should also reveal whether he can handle contact between the tackles. Navy used his speed and receiving ability in space, but an NFL running back cannot avoid every physical assignment. Showing vision, ball security and the strength to finish through contact would give Pittsburgh another reason to view him as more than a gadget player.

Steelers Need Heidenreich To Become Too Valuable To Expose

The practice squad would not end Heidenreich’s development. It could give him time to learn the running back position, improve his protection work and build a clearer role without occupying one of the 53 spots. The risk for Pittsburgh is that every player released must pass through waivers before returning.

Heidenreich can make that risk feel uncomfortable by producing against NFL defenders. If he consistently creates mismatches, finishes special teams plays and handles his assignments cleanly, the Steelers may decide exposing him is more dangerous than keeping an extra player elsewhere.

Wexell’s McCaffrey line is intentionally a little bit dramatic. Pittsburgh does not need Heidenreich to become one of the NFL’s best all-purpose players during August. He needs a preseason impressive enough to change the roster calculation.

The Steelers already know the story is compelling. Training camp and the preseason will decide whether the player is equally difficult to dismiss. Heidenreich entered the league with several possible roles and no guaranteed job. His route to the 53 now depends on turning that flexibility into production Pittsburgh cannot comfortably place on the practice squad.

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