Steelers Add Navy Product Eli Heidenreich to 53-Man Roster The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially added rookie running back Eli Heidenreich to their 53-man roster, marking a significant step in the player’s NFL career. A seventh-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, Heidenreich, a former standout at the U.S. Naval Academy, has secured his place on the team after a mix of training camp competition and preseason performances. The decision was confirmed by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Christopher Carter, who reported that Heidenreich, along with defensive tackles Kevin Jobity Jr. and Gabriel Rubio, will remain on the roster as the Steelers finalize their final 53-player list. Heidenreich, a 23-year-old Pittsburgh native, faced challenges during his time at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, where he struggled to establish himself on the depth chart. Despite his versatility as both a running back and wide receiver, his limited practice reps and lack of standout moments during college raised questions about his readiness for the NFL. However, his combination of special teams skills and potential as a pass-catcher made him a valuable asset for the Steelers. During training camp, coaches believed he could compete for a roster spot alongside established players like Kaleb Johnson and Travis Homer, though his path to the 53-man roster was not guaranteed. The Steelers’ preseason games provided Heidenreich with opportunities to showcase his abilities. After suffering a hamstring injury in early August that kept him out of practice for nearly a week, he returned in time for the team’s opener against the Green Bay Packers. In that game, he recorded 21 rushing yards on nine carries while playing 25 snaps on offense and three on special teams, according to Pro Football Focus.#pittsburgh_steelers #pittsburgh_post_gazette #eli_heidenreich #us_naval_academy #christopher_carter
