Steelers' Preseason Spotlight: Five Bubble Players to Impress Against the Packers
The Steelers kick off the 2026 preseason vs. the Packers with Will Howard and Drew Allar likely to get substantial reps, while big-name starters sit. Five roster-bubble players to watch: WR Brandon Smith, S Rayshawn Jenkins, RB Lew Nichols, CB Doneiko Slaughter, and DL Gabriel Rubio. A strong preseason showing could propel them onto Pittsburgh’s 53-man roster or practice squad, building on the gains from training camp and recent practice notes, with each player bringing a mix of playmaking, physicality, and special-teams potential.