LATROBE, Pa. – It has been released because the NFL requires one in advance of the preseason, and it can change in an instant because that's just the nature of things at this stage of the process.
With that in mind, the Steelers have released their first depth chart of 2014, and mostly it serves as confirmation of what already is known.
Take a look at photos of the Pittsburgh Steeler's seventh day of Training Camp.
On offense, Markus Wheaton is listed as the starting wide receiver opposite Antonio Brown, with the rest of the starters on that unit being exactly as expected.
Staying with the receivers, Lance Moore is listed as the primary backup to Wheaton, and Justin Brown is the primary backup to Antonio Brown. Based on this, it would appear that as of the issuing of this initial depth chart Justin Brown is currently the team's No. 4 receiver.
Darrius Heyward-Bey and then Martavis Bryant are behind Justin Brown, and Derek Moye and Kashif Moore are behind Lance Moore.
Along the offensive line, the backups are Mike Adams at left tackle, Chris Hubbard at left guard, Cody Wallace at center, Bryant Browning at right guard, and Guy Whimper at right tackle.
Michael Palmer is the No. 3 tight end, behind Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth; LeGarrette Blount is behind Le'Veon Bell at running back, with Dri Archer currently No. 3 and Tauren Poole No. 4. Will Johnson is listed as the starting fullback, even though he has been spending the bulk of his time this camp working with the tight ends.
The starting 11 on defense is the same group that opened minicamp, with rookie Ryan Shazier at inside linebacker next to Lawrence Timmons, and Mike Mitchell as the starting free safety despite being on the physically unable to perform list.
Rookie Stephon Tuitt is Cam Heyward's backup at one defensive end spot, with Brian Arnfeldt behind Cam Thomas at the other end. Hebron Fangupo is listed as the No. 2 nose tackle on this initial depth chart behind Steve McLendon.
Vince Williams is listed behind Shazier at the LILB position, with Sean Spence at No. 3 there. Terence Garvin is behind Timmons, with rookie Jordan Zumwalt the No. 3 at that spot. Chris Carter, behind starter Jason Worilds at LOLB, and Arthur Moats, behind Jarvis Jones at ROLB, are the backups at outside linebacker.
At cornerback, it's William Gay behind Cortez Allen at LCB and Brice McCain behind Ike Taylor at RCB. Antwon Blake is third at LCB, and Isaiah Green is third at RCB. As for the safety positions, Shamarko Thomas is listed as the No. 2 strong safety behind Troy Polamalu, with Will Allen as the No. 2 free safety behind Mitchell, which explains why Allen lines up with the starters instead of Thomas as Mitchell continues to work his way back from the PUP list.
At punter, Adam Podlesh and Brad Wing are listed as co-starters. Archer is the kickoff returner, with Antonio Brown as the punt returner. Archer is No. 2 at punt returner, and Wheaton is No. 2 at kickoff returner.
The Steelers' preseason opener will be against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 9, and the next week's depth chart could include some changes based on what happens that night.
