Why have the Steelers played most of the season without a full 53-man roster?
A shrewd observer of the Steelers’ roster moves in 2025 might have noticed that they haven’t had a 53-man roster for most of the season. On multiple occasions, they have allowed for open roster spots for long stretches this season. While teams are not obligated to have 53 players on their roster, it is a personnel resources going unused.
Thus far this season, the Steelers have had roughly six significant sequences in amending their 53-man roster. On September 10, they placed Malik Harrison and Skylar Thompson on the Reserve/Injured List.