Rookie TE Zach Gentry has a lot to prove on vs. the Titans in Preseason Week 3

When it comes to positions on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster that are extremely thin, as it pertains to depth, tight end would probably be at the top of the list. Vance McDonald is the clear cut No. 1 on the depth chart, but after McDonald is a mixed bag of goods.

Xavier Grimble is considered the next on the depth chart, but hasn’t shown many flashes of greatness so far in 2019. What is even more concerning is the depth behind Grimble. The Steelers like to carry three tight ends on their roster, but who will be the third tight end?

Fans of the black-and-gold were hoping 5th round draft pick Zach Gentry out of Michigan could fill that role, and after a decent Week 1 preseason performance it is time for him to get back on the field in Week 3 to show he is capable of locking down the TE3 role on the depth chart.

After missing Week 2 with an undisclosed injury, Gentry was happy to get back on the field with his teammates.

“It felt good to be back out there,” the 6-foot-7 Gentry told Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I was able to kind of keep up with everything mentally, so I was able to like get back on the (proverbial) bike.”

The Steelers, and the fan base, would love nothing more than for Gentry to show up, and show out, vs. the Titans on Sunday Night Football and prove he can be the blocker, and pass catcher, the Steelers are looking to add at the tight end position. In other words, prove the team doesn’t need to go out and pick up a player off waivers, or make a trade prior to the start of the regular season.

Whether Gentry can do this is anyone’s guess, but the former quarterback is ready to go out there and show what he can do, maybe even with Ben Roethlisberger and the starters.

“I am not sure what Coach has planned,” he said, “but whatever it is, I’ll take it and roll with it.

“I’m excited to get back out there and see if I can make some more plays.”

If Gentry doesn’t have a solid performance vs. Tennessee it will become even more apparent the Steelers need to make a move and add to their depth at the position before the games that count start with the Steelers traveling to play the Patriots on Sunday Night Football in Week 1 of the regular season.

Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black-and-gold as they prepare for Week 3 of the NFL Preseason.