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Four Steelers on Roster Bubble Who Need a Big Game Thursday Night
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- Four Steelers on Roster Bubble Who Need a Big Game Thursday Night
The Pittsburgh Steelers have only one preseason game left, with the finale set to kick off Thursday night . Soon, cutdown day will arrive, forcing the coaching staff to make some tough decisions. The Steelers will have several roster-bubble players fighting for their spots .
Thursday night's preseason finale could determine the fate of several players. Among them are veterans and depth players who were once key contributors. Here are four Steelers on the roster bubble who need to have a big game Thursday night:
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Kaleb Johnson
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb JohnsonVincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
All eyes will be on Johnson Thursday night in the preseason finale. He had a solid showing in the Steelers' second preseason game. However, he is still likely on the outside looking in.
Johnson will need to do everything he can, and then some, to secure a spot on the roster. The last thing he or the Steelers want is to see him depart just one year after the team selected him in the third round.
Jack Driscoll
Nov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jack Driscoll (75) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
It's unclear if Driscoll will play after he popped up on the injury report this week. However, his performance in Week 2 was dreadful, and Thursday's game could have more than just a 53-man roster spot at stake.
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Driscoll's performance could also determine whether the Steelers bring him back to the practice squad. If he puts together another performance like the one he had Friday night, the Steelers may need to scour the waiver wire for additional depth.
Esezi Otomewo
Aug 21, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets quarterback Cade Klubnik (10) throws a pass while being pressured by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo (93) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Otomewo stepped in sparingly during the 2025 season and made a few plays along the way. However, the addition of Sebastian Joseph-Day and the sudden rise of Gabriel Rubio have him on the outside looking in.
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He still has a fighting chance, though. Otomewo could push Rubio with an excellent performance and a few impact plays. Chances are, the loser of this battle will head to the Steelers' practice squad.
Riley Nowakowski
Aug 13, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Daylen Everette (23) congratulates fullback Riley Nowakowski (37) on his touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Nowakowski's roster-bubble status isn't because his performance has been subpar. Instead, multiple factors have impacted his chances. The rise of Robert Tonyan , the lack of fullback usage in the modern NFL and tough decisions at multiple offensive positions all loom over his roster hopes.
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Nowakowski has made some good plays when called upon. He has not only played the role of fullback but also made plays as a tight end. He made an excellent touchdown reception in the first preseason game.
Now, he just needs another strong performance to all but lock in his spot on the roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers Essentials
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
