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Steelers Could Have Dark Horse Contingency Plan at Wide Receiver
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- Steelers Could Have Dark Horse Contingency Plan at Wide Receiver
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a dilemma on their hands. After losing Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, and Ben Skowronek to injuries , Pittsburgh must figure out how to fill its third and fourth wide receiver spots. Brandon Smith will likely claim one of those roles, but the other remains up for debate. However, one Steelers insider believes a dark-horse candidate, albeit a long shot, could help the team navigate its mounting injury problems.
Mark Kaboly appeared on his Steelers Collective podcast and floated an interesting name: Eli Heidenreich . Although Heidenreich played almost exclusively at running back during the preseason, he logged plenty of wide receiver snaps during his time at Navy. He doesn't need to become a starter, but he could serve as a contingency option if Pittsburgh runs out of alternatives.
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"Let me throw this name out there to you. What about scheming up Eli Heidenreich a little bit in the slot? He played a little bit. I would think that would be a long shot, but maybe an option," Kaboly said.
How Feasible Is Heidenreich Playing Receiver in Week 6 or at All in 2026?
Sep 13, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Eli Heidenreich (29) warms up for a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
During his final season at Navy, Heidenreich logged 49 snaps in the slot and 98 on the boundary . That gave him a respectable balance between the two alignments. In 2025, he recorded 51 receptions for 941 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 12.6 yards in depth of target. Granted, Navy didn't throw the ball very often, but Heidenreich still demonstrated an ability to contribute as a receiver.
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That production is worth considering if the Steelers decide to utilize the wide receiver portion of his running back/wide receiver roster designation. If Pittsburgh had to deploy him in that capacity, his role would likely resemble Skowronek's, with an emphasis on special teams and situational offensive snaps. The Steelers probably wouldn't line him up opposite DK Metcalf and ask him to beat some of the NFL's best boundary cornerbacks. Using him in the slot, though, isn't an unreasonable idea when examining his 2025 receiving chart.
Any guesses to whose 2025 receiving chart this is? (CFB, 2026 NFL Draft pick.) https://t.co/NFJx32IJZV
— Jobe Morrison, M.S. (@Jobeyfootball) October 14, 2026
Heidenreich didn't produce most of his receiving numbers along the boundary. Instead, much of his production came from inside the numbers, including all six of his receiving touchdowns . That doesn't guarantee his college success will translate to the NFL, but it suggests Kaboly could be onto something if Pittsburgh has to explore unconventional options.
Heidenreich hasn't logged many snaps in 2026, making an expanded offensive role unlikely. However, with the Steelers' wide receiver room quickly thinning out, the team can't completely rule out calling on him in a worst-case scenario.
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Hopefully, Pittsburgh won't reach that point and can allow Heidenreich to continue developing on special teams while working toward a potential future role. Still, if the injury situation worsens, his experience as a receiver at Navy could give the Steelers an unexpected contingency plan.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
