The Pittsburgh Steelers have trimmed the roster down to 53 men after Sunday's cutdown, but there is still a lot of work to be done. While there are some improvements that could be made there, the team is currently focused on the practice squad. Pittsburgh did not make any waiver claims, so they don't have to make any more cuts yet. Head Coach Mike McCarthy is just trying to find the diamonds in the rough to fill up the rest of his squad, especially since he preaches the importance of having roughly 70 players to win a Super Bowl.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy during 2026 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Offensive tackle Doug Nester is coming back to the Steelers via the practice squad, according to his agent. He has yet to make his NFL debut officially, although he has gotten plenty of work with Pittsburgh through training camp and in practice throughout the previous two seasons.
"The Pittsburgh Steelers just signed my client Doug Nester (OL, West Virginia) to the practice squad. Has been developing there the last two years and just finished up an excellent preseason," said Brett Tessler.
Free agent safety Juanyeh Thomas hinted on social media that he would be joining the Steelers, and NFL insider Jeremy Fowler confirmed that he will be going onto the practice squad. The fifth-year safety racked up 62 tackles in his three healthy seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, including a career-high 26 in 2025 before he was put on Injured Reserve (IR). Now, he is reunited with McCarthy in Pittsburgh.
In a press conference on Monday, General Manager Omar Khan announced many more players that will be signed to the practice squad, with a few more spots available for other free agents to come in and add some much-needed depth to the team.
Omar Khan on 12 practice squad spots will go to:
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 31, 2026
Homer
Nichols
Smith
Hurleman
McCree
Nester
S.Jones
Otomewo
Baugh
Slaughter
Castro
Windmon
Welschof
Running back Lew Nichols looked like he had won the RB3 role after a solid performance in preseason before Eli Heidenreich shot up the depth chart at the last minute to take that spot. Clearly, Pittsburgh still loves the talent he possesses, and he will most likely be the next man up if injury strikes with one of the other running backs. All in all, the Steelers have great depth at this position.
Steelers' Updated List Of Practice Squad Players
RB: Lew Nichols, Travis Homer
WR: Max Hurleman, Brandon Smith
TE: Lake McRee
OT: Doug Nestor
OG: Steven Jones
DL: Esezi Otomewo, Kyler Baugh
LB: Jacoby WIndmon, Julius Welschof (International Pathway Program)
CB: Doneiko Slaughter
S: Juanyeh Thomas, Sebastian Castro
Scott Kinser / Imagn Images
Pittsburgh Steelers’ Juanyeh Thomas reacts during his time with the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium in 2025.
The practice squads now are 16 men, but Welschof does not count for that. He is a member of the International Pathway Program due to his roots being in Germany, so he gets to make the practice squad without taking up one of the 16 slots. He did well in the preseason too, and if he needs to be called up, it should not be a problem for the Steelers.
What do you think about the Steelers' practice squad to begin 2026? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
#SteelerNation