The Steelers announced Thursday morning that they have placed quarterback Will Howard and cornerback Donte Kent on injured reserve, while bringing back safety Chuck Clark and guard Max Scharping after releasing them earlier in the week.
Howard, a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft, suffered a fractured pinkie finger during an early August practice and will be sidelined for at least the first four weeks of the season. He helped lead Ohio State to the CFP National Championship last year after four seasons with Kansas State.
Kent, the Steelers’ seventh-round pick this year, missed most of training camp with an injury, contributing to the team’s need to adjust its depth at cornerback.
In corresponding moves, Pittsburgh re-signed safety Chuck Clark and guard Max Scharping after releasing them earlier in the week, a move that helps bolster the roster behind the starting units.
Overall, the Steelers are shoring up depth at several key spots as they move closer to the regular season. Howard’s injury opens up opportunities for rookie quarterbacks to compete for snaps behind the anticipated starter, while Kent’s absence adds to the uncertainty at cornerback. The return of Clark and Scharping provides veteran insurance on the back end of the defense and along the offensive line, which could prove valuable as the team looks to stay healthy through the early part of the season.
Additional notes and context:
– This pattern of moves is common in the NFL during August as teams finalize rosters and address injuries.
– The Steelers will likely rely on a mix of veterans and developing players to fill the gaps created by these injuries, with Clark and Scharping expected to contribute immediately.
If you’d like, I can add a brief summary of the implications for the Steelers’ depth chart or provide a short outlook on how these moves might influence their early-season schedule.