The Steelers put the 'finishing touches' on their roster this week, getting down to the initial 53-man roster on Tuesday and then adding 16 players to the practice squad on Wednesday.
The key word, though, is 'initial.'
Coach Mike Tomlin made it clear after practice there could still be changes in the coming days.
"It's good to get the beginning makings of an NFL football group out here working," said Tomlin. "Certainly, the process isn't done yet, not only for us, but for others. I imagine there's going be some more moves here over the next 24 hours or so. It's just part of the process.
"But largely, we've got the group out here and got a good day's work in before we head into the weekend."
The process, whether it's complete or not, is one that Tomlin thoroughly enjoys, including free agency, the draft, OTAs, minicamp, training camp and the preseason.
"I enjoyed it," said Tomlin. "So, from that perspective, it was good. But certainly, we reserve judgment and totality until we assess how it readies us for the journey. And in a short number of days, we can get a first component of that test."
Part of building the roster was putting together the practice squad. All 16 players the Steelers signed on Wednesday were players familiar to the team, players who were released in the last several days after spending training camp and the preseason on the roster.
When the Steelers started training camp, Tomlin said he liked the 90 on the roster. And that included the 16 who were signed back to the practice squad.
"Individually and collectively, I thought they were just on the outside, looking in, and that's what the practice squad's about," said Tomlin. "Some components of their game is varsity, some of it still needs development.
"Practice squad provides an avenue for them to continue to work and round out their skills. So, excited about the group and excited about continuing their growth and development."
Tomlin said there is an attraction to signing back their own players as that familiarity with their talent and ability can be a benefit down the road.
"As you start leaning in on these games, you're just so hyper-focused on this week's challenge," said Tomlin. "So, getting to know someone is a lot more difficult than having spent time with them since the spring and have a good understanding of where they fall short, what it is they need to work on.
"It's dramatically different than a new relationship."
