Steelers release updated depth chart heading into Week 1

With the Pittsburgh Steelers returning to practice on Monday, there has been plenty of news in regards to the team as they prepare for the regular season. After announcing team captains earlier in the day, the Pittsburgh Steelers have released an updated depth chart heading into their Week 1 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

There are several key notes within the depth chart when it comes to this weekend’s game. Let’s break it down into offense, defense, and special teams.

Offense

There were several noticeable changes on the Steelers depth chart on the offensive line. With the Zach Banner currently on the Reserve/Injured List, Chuks Okorafor slides over to the right tackle position where he started 15 games in 2020. In his place, rookie Dan Moore Jr. takes on the starting role at left tackle. Joe Haeg is currently listed as the back up at both tackle positions. Although J.C. Hassenauer had been listed as the starting center the entire preseason, rookie Kendrick Green has now taken over the top spot on the depth chart. At guard, Kevin Dotson is the starter on the left side with Richard Coward next in line. Trai Turner is currently the starter at right guard with B.J. Finney backing him up.

The quarterback position holds very little surprises with Ben Roethlisberger in the top spot followed by Mason Rudolph and then Dwayne Haskins. Running back, Najee Harris is listed the starter with Benny Snell Jr. second on the depth chart followed by Kalen Ballage. Derek Watt is the only player listed at fullback.

As for the receivers, three players are listed on the first team with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, and Chase Claypool. Both Ray-Ray McCloud and James Washington are listed on the second team. As for tight end, both Eric Ebron and Pat Freiermuth are squeezed together onto the first team with Zach Gentry next on the depth chart.

Defense

On the defensive line, Cameron Heyward is listed as the starting defensive tackle followed by Isaiahh Loudermilk. Chris Wormley fills in the spot at defensive end vacated by Stephon Tuitt being on the Reserve/Injured List. Carlos Davis is listed as the back up to Wormley. Finally, Tyson Alualu is the starting nose tackle with Isaiah Buggs in reserve.

Despite not practicing, T.J. Watt is still listed as the starting outside linebacker on the left side followed by Melvin Ingram and Jamir Jones. Alex Highsmith is listed as the starter on the right with the same two players in reserve.

Devin Bush and Joe Schobert man the inside linebacker spots with Robert Spillane and Marcus Allen as the backups. Rookie Buddy Johnson and Ulysees Gilbert III are listed as third string.

The cornerback position is quite interesting as the Steelers do not have a slot corner listed at this time. The two starters are Joe Haden on the left side and Cameron Sutton on the right side. Haden is backed up by Justin Layne and Ahkello Witherspoon while Sutton’s reserve is James Pierre followed by Arthur Maulet.

There are no surprises at the safety position as Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds have the starting spots at free and strong safety respectively. Rookie Tre Norwood is backing up Fitzpatrick with Miles Killebrew the reserve at strong safety.

Special Teams

The three specialists for the Steelers are listed as expected with Chris Boswell as the kicker, Pressley Harvin III as the punter and holder, and Christian Kuntz as the long snapper. Ray-Ray McCloud is listed as both the punt returner and kick returner. As for the reserves, Diontae Johnson and James Pierre are listed as punt returner with Benny Snell Jr. and James Pierre at kick returners.

Check out BTSC’s Breaking News podcast about the Steelers’ depth chart for Week 1 on the 2021 regular season: