The Steelers Potential IR/Designated To Return Candidates On The 53-Man Roster And Their Current Injuries

The Pittsburgh Steelers cut their roster from 80 to 53 players on Tuesday afternoon and made a few trades for linebacker, Malik Reed and offensive lineman, Jesse Davis. Fans may have noticed that multiple players who suffered potential season-ending injuries ended up making the cut which is actually good news. Any players put on IR after 4pm on Tuesday can be placed on the IR/Designated to Return list and come back to play this year after just four weeks. Some of those that fell victim to the roster cuts on Tuesday may be right back on the roster once a few players head to IR. Here are the Steelers potential IR candidates:

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1.) Damontae Kazee, Safety

Kazee's injury is the most recent out of the guys who may be out for an extended period of time. In Sunday's preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, Kazee injured his wrist. He attempted a tackle in the third quarter along the sideline and left the field holding his wrist in pain. The injury comes as a huge blow to the secondary as he was rotating in nicely and added great depth behind safeties, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds.

After Kazee heads to IR, the Steelers could sign one of the many safeties that were released Tuesday league-wide, or make the expected move and bring back Marcus Allen to the 53-man roster. After Karl Joseph's season-ending injury, the defense needs help and more depth in this area. It should be addressed by the weekend.

2.) Calvin Austin III, Wide Receiver

The Steelers almost never carry seven wide receivers on the initial roster, but the franchise did on Tuesday as Steven Sims found and played his way onto the team. This is, however, bad news for Austin who has been dealing with a foot injury since just prior to the first preseason game. Austin said a little over a week ago that he wants to be out there and is just waiting on the word from head coach, Mike Tomlin.

"It was definitely disappointing. For one, because I worked so hard with these guys. It was kind of tough to see them out there fighting and you want to go out there and fight with them," Austin said. "It's definitely something that's weighing on me, but I'm definitely ready to get out there and fight with those guys."

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Sims making the team should make Austin and Steelers fans a little less optimistic about the rookie's potential to return for the first game of the regular season. We will have to see how it plays out, but he definitely could be out a minimum of four games and not forced back into action too early.

3.) Montravius Adams, Defensive Lineman

Adams was a nice surprise and boost for the Steelers defense a year ago when he came in late November. After signing a two-year deal with Pittsburgh in the off-season, he was expected to provide solid depth along the defensive front. Unfortunately, the lineman has been out since early August with a lingering ankle injury. Adams said on Tuesday after practice that he will be good to go by the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, but Tomlin isn't one to rush players back from injuries.

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The Steelers rostered seven defensive linemen on Tuesday, but could get away with six being active during the beginning of the regular season. If the coaching staff doesn't believe Adams is ready and wants to give him more time to ease back into things, he could find himself landing on IR to begin the year. With that said, participating in practice and still having a week and a half to get ready is a positive sign and no moves may need to be made in regards to Adams.

Who do you think will end up on IR to start the Steelers' season? Let us know in the comments below!

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