Steelers Get Good Injury News on Rookie Eli Heidenreich

It appears Eli Heidenreich is set to return and will play in the Pittsburgh Steelers' first game of the preseason.

After missing a handful of practices in recent days as the second week of training camp transitioned into the third, Heidenreich told reporters that he feels good from a health perspective after taking some time off and is trending in the right direction.

"Health-wise, I feel great," Heidenreich said. "I took a few days off, I'm sure you guys saw that, but I'm healing up."

When asked if he'll be a full-go in the preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, Heidenreich stated that's the plan.

"The plan today was to practice," Heidenreich said. "It got changed up a little bit today, but yea as far as I'm concerned."

Jul 30, 2026; Latrobe, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Eli Heidenreich (29) participates in training camp drills at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Heidenreich Must Make Up for Lost Time

With Heidenreich back on the field and ready to go heading into Pittsburgh's bout against the Packers, it won't come as a surprise if his number is called a ton at Acrisure Stadium later this week.

Coming into training camp, Heidenreich was lumped in with the likes of Kaleb Johnson and Travis Homer as the top candidates to snag the last spot or two on the 53-man roster at running back.

With Johnson handling a steady workload behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle while Lew Nichols has emerged as one of the stars of camp, however, Heidenreich is in a precarious position next to Homer.

It doesn't help that Heidenreich missed multiple practices, as previously mentioned, especially as a rookie who is still acclimating himself to the NFL.

The seventh-round pick's versatility provides a nice boost to his stock and the overall intrigue surrounding him, though. Whether it's at running back, on special teams or perhaps a snap here and there at wide receiver, the fact that Mike McCarthy and his staff can get creative in how they deploy Heidenreich means he has several avenues through which he can make the roster.

Because he's buried so far down the depth chart at this point, it more or less feels like his fate as a likely cut candidate is well on its way to being cemented. There just isn't room on the roster for him.

Heidenreich could still make up for lost time by catching a few passes out of the backfield and holding up in pass protection while thriving in whatever role(s) he handles on special teams, but it's hard to imagine it being enough to snag an initial 53-man when it's all said and done.

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