Behind the Steel Curtain
The Steelers’ initial 53-man roster already looks a bit different, with the team reportedly planning to make four roster moves Wednesday afternoon.
Per Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly, the Steelers will place quarterback Will Howard and cornerback Donte Kent on “short-term” injured reserve and sign safety Chuck Clark and offensive lineman Max Scharping to the 53-man roster.
The Howard IR move was long expected as the Steelers kept four quarterbacks on the initial roster. The sixth-round rookie suffered a hand injury in training camp and didn’t play in the preseason.
Kaboly later posted that the move had more to do with “getting (Howard’s) shoulder in shape because of a lack of throwing” than the hand issue.
The addition of the veteran safety Clark was also predicted by many, as the Steelers kept just eight defensive backs originally. Clark has 75 career starts and spent the preseason with Pittsburgh. Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders even reported Wednesday afternoon that Clark still has a locker at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, even if he hasn’t officially been re-signed yet.
Seventh-round rookie cornerback Donte Kent also didn’t play a single snap in the preseason, meaning his addition to IR isn’t a big surprise. Max Scharping, who can play tackle, guard, and center, appeared in two games last season for the Steelers.
Kaboly notes that Howard and Kent aren’t expected to stay on IR long term.
The Steelers still have an open spot on their practice squad.
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