Labriola Shares ‘Plan’ For Rookie Eli Heidenreich Moving Forward

Steelers.com writer Bob Labriola reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers plan to keep rookie running back Eli Heidenreich developing on the scout team rather than playing on game days. The seventh-round pick out of the Naval Academy has been a healthy scratch following the first two games of the season, during which he logged just two offensive snaps and 18 special teams snaps.

Labriola noted that Heidenreich currently does not warrant playing time over active roster contributors at running back, wide receiver, or core special teams roles. Writer Josh Carney adds that while roster additions and adjustments have placed Heidenreich in a numbers crunch, Pittsburgh remains invested in his long-term transition and development.