Pittsburgh Steelers Roster Cuts: Team reduces their 2016 preseason roster to 79 players

The Pittsburgh Steelers don't have to transform their 90-man preseason roster to a 75-player roster until Tuesday, but the team has already trimmed their roster to 79 after series of cuts released Sunday morning.

The #Steelers have reduced their roster to 79 players. Practice resumes at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex today. pic.twitter.com/C8Ey8GXjSS

— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) August 28, 2016

There were no real surprises in the the trimming of the roster from 90 to 79, but below is a list of players who were released.

OT Jerald Hawkins (Placed on Reserve/Injured List)
QB Dustin Vaughan (Waived Injured)
LB Jordan Zumwalt
LB Mike Reilly
WR Isaac Blakeney
WR Levi Norwood
TE Michael Cooper
DE Giorgio Newberry
DT Khaynin Mosley-Smith
CB Julian Whigham

Of those listed, the only two of note would be rookie Jerald Hawkins being moved to the injured reserve list. Being placed there ends his rookie season with a shoulder injury, but it also keeps him in the organization. The other would be Jordan Zumwalt. The oft-injured third year player simply didn't look like he had the ability to make plays at either outside linebacker to make the team's roster.

The Steelers will have until Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. EDT to eliminate 4 other players to abide by