Steelers Are Expecting To See Production From Exciting Undrafted Free Agent

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a questionable spot at wide receiver after the bye week. The good news is that they're likely getting Ben Skowronek back in Week 10. Every healthy body is needed now, because the bad news is two starters are still injured with no recent updates coming out about when they will return. Michael Pittman Jr. has not been designated to return yet as he tries to work through his foot issue. Meanwhile, Roman Wilson is not eligible to return to practice until Week 11, but he should not be gone much longer. 

Over the past few weeks, the Steelers have been relying on practice squad players to fill out the depth chart and play in key roles. They were unable to acquire another wide receiver before the trade deadline hit on Tuesday. The hope is that the return of the injured receivers could give the same boost that a trade supposedly would, but with uncertainty at the position, that's a bold gamble to make.

There is another injured receiver that is looking to play soon for the Steelers. As multiple sources noted, Head Coach Mike McCarthy couldn't help but sing the praises of a man trying to work his way off of practice squad Injured Reserve (IR).

"It appears practice squad WR Max Hurleman is close to being cleared from practice squad IR and could be in the mix for a spot in the rotation," Ray Fittipaldo said. "Mike McCarthy said he felt he deserved a 53-man roster spot before he was injured. 'It will be great to get him back in the fold.'"

Max Hurleman has impressed the Steelers as a quality versatile piece in training camp and the preseason. McCarthy was expecting to see him get some meaningful reps in the regular season before the injury popped up. Since then, he has been quietly working in the shadows, trying to get back to full strength so he can prove that he deserves to be on the field for gameday, let alone make it to the 53-man roster. 

Reporter Chris Adamski added more quotes from McCarthy as he spoke glowingly about Hurleman.

"How do you not love Max? Max is one of the guys… who comes in every day and works hard," McCarthy said via Adamski. "The GPS (data), he rips that up.”

It's unclear if Hurleman will be activated off of Practice Squad IR for Week 10 or not, but based on McCarthy's praises and comments, it looks like he might get a chance to be elevated to the active roster sooner rather than later. The coach loves to get creative with the offense, so it will be interesting to see what plays and packages get drawn up for the former undrafted free agent when he finally makes it onto the field. 

Even if Hurleman is not able to get a helmet in 2026 due to any factor, he may have pole position in the 2027 offseason program. Kaden Wetjen does not offer much on offense and has not exactly been stellar at kick return. This new regime has shown a willingness to move on from early picks quickly, as they did by trading former third-round pick Kaleb Johnson before his second season.

Steelers Don't Have Much Time To See What Hurleman Can Do

As mentioned before Skowronek is expected to be back in Week 10, which takes away the need for one of the practice squad elevations. There is a realistic possibility that Wilson returns in the next game or two after that. Even before Pittman returns, that leaves very little time for Hurleman to get a helmet and get some meaningful snaps in. Maybe Brandon Smith becomes a healthy scratch, but that still doesn't open a lot of reps up.

What do you think about McCarthy praising Hurleman as he works his way back from Practice Squad IR? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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