The final week of the NFL’s preseason is upon us, and that means roster cuts are coming. Are there some surprises out there about who will and will not make the cut?
There always are. That’s the beauty of training camp and preseason. Guys whose names nobody knew beforehand get a chance to make a statement.
As for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s the running back room that could have a surprise cut.
NFL Analyst Predicts Steelers to Cut RB Kaleb Johnson
Pro Football Sports Network’s Jacob Infante released his top five surprising cuts ahead of deadline day in the NFL, and Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson earned the top spot on that list.
“A lot of people were talking about him as a potential starter for the Steelers. A lot of people were drafting him in the top 100 of fantasy drafts last year, but did not come to be last year,” Infante said. “He only averaged 2.5 yards per carry in 2025. Only caught one pass. Ultimately, saw himself kind of waned out of the Steelers’ offensive game plan in favor of Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell.”
Infante added that despite Gainwell being out of the picture, Pittsburgh added Rico Dowdle, who is a bigger upgrade.
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With Warren and Dowdle set to carry a bulk of the load, the other running backs kept on the roster will need to have value elsewhere, like special teams.
“They brought in Travis Homer this offseason, who’s been a reliable special teams contributor everywhere he’s went. Eli Heidenreich, the rookie that they added, has more special teams upside and more receiving value,” Infante said. “If you remember Eli Heidenreich being a kind of a hybrid do-it-all running back, wide receiver, tight end, fullback for Navy last year, he’s got a lot more versatility to work with.
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“And you also factor in Riley Nowakowski being a fullback, but he belongs in the conversation as well as somebody who could make the team over Caleb Johnson.”
With other guys holding more special team value on the team, and Johnson being more one-dimensional as a player, Infante isn’t counting on the former third-round pick to make the Steelers’ roster.
“The Caleb Johnson era in Pittsburgh could be over before it’s ever really begun,” Infante said. “So, I definitely feel like there’s a team out there who would take a chance on him and claim him on waivers, but at least in Pittsburgh, I think it’s going to be really tough for him to make that squad.”
Roster cuts will be made at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, following the conclusion of the final week of preseason.
