The hay is officially in the barn. After nearky a month in Latrobe and three exhibition games, training camp and the preseason is over for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The next time they are on the grass will be Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons.

But before we get there, the Steelers have to trim the roster from 90 to 53 players. Many factors will go into the final cuts, including the Joey Porter Jr. PUP situation, evidence from all three, but certainly the final preseason game, and more notable injury situations. Here is our final prediction ahead of Sunday’s deadline.

Pittsburgh Steelers Final 53-man Roster Prediction

Offense (26)

Quarterbacks (4)

In: Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, Drew Allar
Out: — (room is set)

McCarthy said after the game he feels good about two veterans he can win with and two young QBs he’s excited about. Howard was evaluated after the Bills game with a head injury, meaning that could be an IR spot to watch.

Running backs (3)

In: Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Eli Heidenreich
Out: Kaleb Johnson, Lew Nichols, Travis Homer

Heidenreich’s versatility and upside in the final preseason game wins him the third spot. Nichols had a strong night (7-40) and is a practice-squad candidate alongside Homer.

Fullback (1)

In: Riley Nowakowski
Out: —

Still useful in McCarthy’s scheme plus special teams.

Tight ends (3)

In: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Robert Tonyan
Out: Jaheim Bell

Tonyan didn’t play in the finale (roster-lock signal). Nowakowski is counted at FB.

Wide receivers (6)

In: DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen
Out: Max Hurleman, Brandon Smith, Levi Wentz, Cornell Powell, Isaiah Winstead, Jakobie Keeney-James

Wetjen returned a punt for a TD and is the primary returner (fourth-round pick). Bernard scored vs. Buffalo. Skowronek left early with a trainer—monitor, but he’s a lock if healthy.

Offensive line (9)

In: Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook, Brock Hoffman, Max Iheanachor, Broderick Jones, Gennings Dunker
Out: Jack Driscoll, Ryan McCollum, Doug Nester

Iheanachor returned from injury; Jones still projects to make it despite missed time and poor performances based on numbers alone. Hoffman is the swing interior.

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Defense (24)

Defensive line (6)

In: Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Yahya Black, Gabriel Rubio
Out: Dean Lowry, Esezi Otomewo, Kevin Jobity, Kyler Baugh, Andrew Goodlow

Youth (Rubio) over veteran depth; Lowry/Otomewo are practice-squad types.

Outside linebackers (4)

In: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer
Out / IPP: Julius Welschof (International Player Pathway—does not count against 53), Jamin Davis

Group is set.

Inside linebackers (4)

In: Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb
Out: Carson Bruener, Malik Harrison, Jacoby Windmon

Four QBs cost an ILB spot. Roberts started vs. Buffalo and made a TFL on the first snap. Bruener is a practice-squad hope.

Cornerbacks (6)

In: Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., Brandin Echols, Daylen Everette
Out: Doneiko Slaughter, D’Shawn Jamison, Tamon Lynum, Daryl Porter, Donte Kent, Jaylon Guilbeau

Porter Jr. is projected off PUP despite the contract stalemate. Echols returned from an ankle injury.

Safeties (4)

In: DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, Rayshawn Jenkins, Robert Spears-Jennings
Out / IR: Sebastian Castro, Jack Henderson, Devan Boykin

Jenkins and Spears-Jennings (speed/special teams) win the last spots.

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Specialists (3)

In: K Chris Boswell, P Cameron Johnston, LS Christian Kuntz
Out: —

No drama.