With the 2025 NFL roster cutdown deadline in the books, many would expect teams to slow down on the transaction front. There’s no such luck for several franchises, however, the Pittsburgh Steelers included.
As the month of August rolls on and Week 1 of the regular season approaches, general manager Omar Khan is still quite busy. Per a Wednesday report from Brooke Pryor of ESPN, four player-related decisions are looming.
Steelers Reportedly to Place Will Howard & Donte Kent on Injured Reserve
For starters, rookies Will Howard and Donte Kent will be going on the injured reserve list. In their potential places on the 53-man roster, safety Chuck Clark and offensive lineman Max Scharping have paths laid out to return.
“The Steelers will place rookies QB Will Howard and CB Donte Kent on IR, per source,” Pryor wrote. “With the freed up roster spots, the team is signing S Chuck Clark and OL Max Scharping.”
It’s certainly an unfortunate break for both first-year players. Howard, a sixth-round pick by Pittsburgh, hurt his hand on August 5 by suffering a fractured pinky finger. It was on his throwing hand, rendering him unable to play during the preseason. This would be an unsurprising move, especially given the existence of fellow quarterback Skylar Thompson on the depth chart. For now, Thompson is backing up Mason Rudolph and first-stringer Aaron Rodgers.
Kent, also a 2025 NFL Draft class member, has a more serious injury. He’s nursing a foot/ankle ailment that kept him out of the preseason as well. He was in a walking boot for an extended period of time. With reps not really up for grabs in the secondary, Kent wouldn’t have played much — if at all — anyway.
Mark Kaboly, Steelers correspondant for The Pat McAfee Show, said both players will go on “short-term IR.” This, in theory, allows them to return after missing four regular-season contests if put back on the roster.
Pittsburgh to Reunite With Veterans Chuck Clark & Max Scharping
Fortunately for the Steelers, there’s ample depth at both positions that suffered injuries. That not only allows in-house candidates to keep doing their thing, but it opens up avenues for other additions. Enter the duo of Clark and Scharping.
Clark, a longtime member of the AFC North, signed with the Steelers on July 25. The 30-year-old previously spent several years with the Baltimore Ravens. Following the departure of Minkah Fitzpatrick via trade, Clark injects veteran experience and leadership into the Pittsburgh safety group. He recorded 6 tackles this preseason.
Days after Clark signed, head coach Mike Tomlin gave him a glowing review.
“I’ve been really impressed with his ability to digest schematics in a short period of time and execute defense,” Tomlin said. “I’m not completely surprised by it, because we’ve competed against him over the years. I just know he has a reputation asa really solid professional. I think he’s displayed that the short period of time he’s been here.”
Scharping, who recently turned 29, is an experienced vet as well. After being claimed from the Washington Commanders‘ practice squad last October, he appeared in a pair of regular-season games. He then re-signed with the Steelers before being cut. He played 106 preseason snaps at center and 32 at right guard this summer, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Steelers may have some reinforcements coming prior to their Week 1 outing against the New York Jets.
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