The Pittsburgh Steelers finalized their roster for Week 7 against the New York Jets.
According to ESPN beat reporter Brooke Pryor and others, the Steelers will use both of their practice squad elevations this week. The team is also re-signing a player to the 53-man roster.
“Couple Steelers roster moves,” Pryor reported on October 19. “[The team] promoted [outside linebacker] Ade Ogundeji to the Active Roster off the Practice Squad. [They also] elevated WR Brandon Johnson and RB Jonathan Ward to the Active/Inactive Roster off the Practice Squad.”
Pittsburgh followed a similar approach with Ogundeji before Week 6, signing him and then releasing him after the game. The 26-year-old played 16 defensive snaps against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Pro Football Focus. He recorded two quarterback pressures and was mainly used as a pass rusher, with 13 of his 16 snaps in that role.
This marks the second practice squad elevation of the season for Johnson and the third — and final — for Ward. Both were called up for the Week 5 game against the Dallas Cowboys, and Ward was promoted again last week for the Raiders game.
In Week 5, Johnson played five offensive snaps and caught his only target for a 9-yard gain, though he did not participate on special teams. Ward, meanwhile, has been active on special teams, logging 25 snaps over the past two weeks. He has also carried the ball five times for 22 yards, averaging 4.4 yards per carry.
Ward is expected to step in for the injured Cordarrelle Patterson as the third running back, behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.
Brandon Johnson’s elevation is a ‘bad sign’ for Steelers rookie WR Roman Wilson Steelers Depot writer Ross McCorkle commented that Johnson’s promotion could spell trouble for rookie WR Roman Wilson’s Week 7 availability.
Wilson, listed as questionable for Sunday Night Football with a hamstring injury, may be inactive again versus the Jets. Due to injuries and inexperience, the rookie has had difficulty carving out a role in 2024. Aside from five offensive snaps against the Raiders, Wilson has seen little action this season and has yet to record a reception or a target.
An October 18 injury update on Wilson indicated that he looked “fine” in practice, according to Steelers Now beat reporter Alan Saunders. However, given his limited role and lingering hamstring issues, it’s possible that head coach Mike Tomlin opts to rest him for another week.
Steelers Downgrade Safety Damontae Kazee vs. Jets
In other injury news on October 19, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported an update on X.
“[They] downgraded [safety] Damontae Kazee (ankle) to questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Jets,” Rapoport said, while noting that defensive tackle Montravius Adams (knee) was upgraded to having no injury status designation.
On October 18, the Steelers made a final roster adjustment ahead of Week 7, addressing an injury on the practice squad.
According to KPRC2’s NFL insider Aaron Wilson, veteran cornerback Anthony Averett was placed on injured reserve. In his place, the Steelers re-signed veteran cornerback Zyon Gilbert, who had been with the team earlier this season.
