The Pittsburgh Steelers opened their roster-trimming process Thursday night, waiving 11 players in the first wave of moves after a 28-27 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills. The defeat closed Pittsburgh’s exhibition slate at 1-2 as Mike McCarthy and the staff turn their attention to the regular season.
First wave of cuts
Pittsburgh’s initial round of reductions targeted depth pieces as the club moves toward its 53-man roster. The team waived 11 players: tight end Jaheim Bell; offensive lineman Greg Crippen; defensive backs Jaylon Guilbeau, Jack Henderson, Brandon Hill, Tamon Lynum and Daryl Porter; wide receivers Jakobie Keeney-James, Cornell Powell and Isaiah Winstead; and running back Alex Tecza.
The first wave concentrated on the secondary and the wide receiver room and officially ended several summer competitions. While the moves contained no major surprises, they provided an early window into how the roster’s lower tiers will be constructed and left the Steelers’ most difficult decisions for subsequent cuts.
Preseason finale takeaways
The final preseason game in Buffalo delivered a close finish and several evaluation moments for Pittsburgh. Buffalo took the early lead on a 33-yard Tyler Bass field goal. After a three-and-out by the Steelers on their opening drive, a muffed Bills punt gave Pittsburgh the ball at Buffalo’s 13; on the next play rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard took a short screen and broke two tackles for a 13-yard touchdown to put the Steelers up 7-3.
Will Howard completed 9 of 15 passes for 69 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception while posting an 83.1 passer rating. Howard was sacked three times for 22 yards in losses, with rookie offensive tackle Max Iheanachor responsible for allowing one of them.
Rookie Drew Allar replaced Howard in the second half and, on his first possession, led an 11-play, 68-yard touchdown drive that kept Pittsburgh competitive late in the game.
With the preseason evaluation period ending the moment the final seconds expired in Buffalo, the Steelers’ staff shifts from assessing potential to deciding which players best fit the new regime’s plans for the regular season. The opening wave removed 11 players from contention and clarified some positional pecking orders, but the roster picture will continue to evolve as Pittsburgh finalizes its 53-man roster.
