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
Steelers to Retain Running Back Eli Heidenreich and Defensive Tackles Gabriel Rubio, Kevin Jobity Jr. The Pittsburgh Steelers have confirmed their intention to retain running back Eli Heidenreich and defensive tackles Gabriel Rubio and Kevin Jobity Jr. on their 53-man roster for the upcoming season. The decisions follow evaluations of the players’ performances during training camp and the team’s preseason games, which provided insight into their potential contributions to the 2026 season. Eli Heidenreich, the Steelers’ seventh-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, was chosen with the 230th overall pick. A graduate of Mt. Lebanon High School, Heidenreich showcased his athleticism and versatility during his college career at the U.S. Naval Academy. In his senior season with the Midshipmen, he amassed 1,440 yards and nine touchdowns from scrimmage, demonstrating his ability to impact both the running and passing games. Despite missing several practices during training camp, Heidenreich returned to full participation and made an immediate impact in the preseason. In the Steelers’ final preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, he carried the ball nine times for 35 yards and scored a touchdown, highlighting his reliability as a short-yardage back. Defensive tackle Gabriel Rubio, a sixth-round pick in the 2026 draft (210th overall), joined the Steelers after a standout collegiate career at Notre Dame. During the 2025 season, Rubio emerged as a key rotational player for the Fighting Irish, primarily serving as a run stuffer who provided depth and physicality along the defensive line. Though he did not participate in the NFL Combine due to scheduling conflicts, his presence at the line of scrimmage during training camp caught the attention of Steelers coaches.#pittsburgh_steelers #eli_heidenreich #gabriel_rubio #kevin_jobity_jr #us_naval_academy
