Steelers Practice Squad Tracker: Every Addition After Roster Cuts

Every player the Pittsburgh Steelers have signed to their 2026 practice squad.

Aug 13, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Travis Homer (21) runs against the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have trimmed their roster to 53 players and now need to turn their attention to the free agents who have become available.

While the initial 53-man roster could hold, changes are always possible. You never know who got cut elsewhere who will end up on Pittsburgh's roster before kickoff in Week 1.

Outside of the active roster, though, the Steelers need to sign 17 players to their practice squad, and could add an international player as well, who would not take up a roster spot. Anyone who went unclaimed through waivers or was cut as a veteran and could sign at any time is eligible to join the Steelers' practice squad.

The waiver claim window ends at 1 p.m. ET on Aug. 31, making all unclaimed players eligible to be signed by any team.

Steelers Practice Squad Signings:

OT Doug Nester (per his agent Brett Tessler)
RB/WR Max Hurleman
RB Travis Homer
RB Lew Nichols
WR Brandon Smith
TE Lake McRee
OL Steven Jones
DT Esezi Otomewo
DT Kyler Baugh
DB Doneiko Slaughter
DB Sebastian Castro
OLB Jacoby Windmon
OLB Julius Welschof
WR Brandon Johnson
DB Car'lin Vigers
LB Bradyn Swinson
DB Bishop Fitzgerald

Analysis of Pittsburgh's Practice Squad

Nester is coming off a strong preseason and is now set to spend his third year on the Steelers' practice squad.

Nichols was also a standout performer for Pittsburgh this summer, and Homer could provide some veteran experience out of the backfield and on special teams if called upon.

Otomewo fell onto the wrong side of the roster bubble after re-signing with the Steelers earlier this offseason, with rookies Gabriel Rubio and Kevin Jobity Jr. earning 53-man spots ahead of him.

Slaughter had a good preseason and could earn some opportunities as a game day elevation.

Smith was a training camp darling for Pittsburgh, though he suffered an injury in the preseason opener against the New York Jets and was rather quiet from that point forward.

Castro was wearing a boot last week, and his status moving forward remains to be seen as a result.

Johnson is back for a fourth stint with the Steelers after most recently being cut by the team in June.

Swinson was a fifth-round pick by the New England Patriots out of LSU in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in three games for the AFC champions and logged three tackles.

Fitzgerald posted five interceptions and was a first-team All-American for USC in 2025 before signing with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent earlier this offseason.

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