The Steelers wrap their pre-season on Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers. Many players have already earned their way on to the final 53-man roster, but for others, the situation remains murky. Here are three veterans whose status could hinge upon their performance in that contest:

DeMarvin Leal, DL/Edge

The slash that separates “DL” and “Edge” in Leal’s position description has been the thing that has dogged him throughout his career with the Steelers. Which one is he? Leal has proven to be the ultimate “tweener” — too light to play on the interior of the line, but not mobile enough to play the edge. The Steelers have used him at edge almost exclusively this pre-season, where he’s listed as the third-string weak side linebacker on the team’s depth chart, behind T.J. Watt and Jack Sawyer.

Leal has a few things working in his favor in his bid to make the final roster. One is the hamstring injury suffered by Nick Herbig last week against Tampa Bay. While not serious, it could limit Herbig over the next few weeks. Another is Alex Highsmith’s groin injury, which is not yet fully healed. Pittsburgh is thin at the edge position at the moment, and signed former Vikings edge Kenny Willekes, most recently of the UFL’s Michigan Panthers, earlier this week for depth. Willekes is not a strong candidate to make the final roster, however. While both Herbig and Highsmith are listed as strong side backers, Leal has played both sides throughout his career. That should help him as well.

The bottom line could come down to numbers. The Steelers typically keep four edge defenders among the final 53. Watt, Sawyer, Herbig and Highsmith are locks to be those four. But the injuries could convince them a fifth is necessary. Leal has one final audition on Thursday to convince them he should be it.

Robert Woods, WR

When Woods was signed by Pittsburgh in the spring, there was some talk he might emerge as the team’s number two receiver opposite DK Metcalf. Now, the 33-year-old is fighting to make the roster.

Several things have factored into his current predicament. First, Woods has failed to pop as a receiver. He was lauded upon his arrival for his veteran savvy and his toughness. In that sense, he’d be a good fit for Arthur Smith’s offense as a willing blocker and a player who made contested catches. But Woods hasn’t be able to get open very often. He has just one catch in two pre-season games. Even worse, he received most of his snaps last week against Tampa in the fourth quarter with the team’s deep reserves. Meanwhile, players he’s competing with for a roster spot, like Scotty Miller and Brandon Johnson, got plenty of reps in the first half. That sort of pecking order does not bode well for Woods’s chances.

The emergence of other receivers has hurt Woods as well. Roman Wilson has been impressive, Calvin Austin is a lock to make the roster, and Ben Skowronek is a favorite of Smith’s. Miller may be the player Woods has to beat out for the fifth receiver spot. If that’s the case, he has little shot. Miller has been excellent this summer, catching everything thrown his way, and has grown a strong rapport with Aaron Rodgers.

Woods has one more chance on Thursday to prove he belongs on the final 53. But it may be too little, too late.

Connor Heyward 

Heyward may make the team yet again because of his positional versatility. He has played tight end, H-back and fullback at various times in his first two seasons in Pittsburgh. But does he do any of them particularly well? That’s the question the team must be satisfied with to warrant keeping him over an extra running back or wide receiver.

Heyward catches the ball well but struggles to create space for himself, which makes him difficult to target. He is too small (6’0-230) to be used as a traditional blocking tight end, where he gets overpowered by defensive linemen. His best role is as a fullback/H-back type, where he can kick out defensive ends and catch balls out of the backfield. Smith toyed around with some “04” personnel groupings in the pre-season, which put Heyward on the field with fellow tight ends Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington. That suggests he may have a role for Heyward in mind. But it’s possible the Steelers could see value in keeping a different skill player instead.

Max Hurleman, for instance, has a similar skill set to Heyward’s. Hurleman is much smaller, at 5’10-200, so he does not add value as a tight end. But he can play running back and wide receiver, and his plucky nature may allow Smith to use him in Heyward’s place.

Then there’s Lew Nichols, who’s been excellent through two pre-season games when given an opportunity to carry the ball. Or Trey Sermon. He’s a veteran back with a knack for making tough yards around the goal line. There’s also “none of the above.” If the Steelers are determined to keep four tight ends, they could release all of these players and sign a veteran after the league’s final cuts are made.

Most likely, Pittsburgh will keep Heyward. But it’s not inconceivable one of the others could nudge ahead of him with a strong performance Thursday night.

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