Steelers veteran reportedly on track to be cut after having yet to practice at training camp

When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Cole Holcomb last offseason, it was in an effort to re-tool a LB room that had lost its identity.

And halfway through his inaugural campaign in Pittsburgh, he was doing that and more, calling the defensive signals and leading the team in tackles.

But then came a scary Thursday Night Football injury that has sidelined him since, and now some are hypothesizing that he may be a cut candidate.

Is Holcomb on his way out?

Holcomb is still around, though he's not anywhere near being able to play. They might place him on IR or waive him injured.

- Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post Gazette

One statement that every coach in the league lives by is: "It's hard to make the club in the tub."

It's hard to prove why you need a spot if you can't play. And while I believe that Holcomb and Patrick Queen would form the perfect duo of modern stacked linebackers, Pittsburgh likely feels different.

Elandon Roberts has managed to hold onto his stating role alongside Queen, who has been awarded the green dot, making him the signal caller and vocal leader of the defense.

There is also rookie Payton Wilson of course, who comes with injury concerns of his own but has looked healthy, fast, and physical through two weeks of practices.

But what can't go unnoticed is that the Steelers adjusted Cole Holcomb's salary just a few days ago.

According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson , Pittsburgh “added $3.1 million in 2024 split and base guarantees for Cole Holcomb with renegotiation, in addition to $4.92 million total guaranteed from 2023 contract.”

What that means in terms of his future or likelihood of being released is anyone's guess. Pittsburgh restructured Alex Highsmith's contract ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft to free up some cap space (which they still have).

And with plenty of rumors flying about WR Brandon Aiyuk and his future team, Pittsburgh might just be making sure they have their finances in order should a big deal be on the horizon.

Pittsburgh's current WR corps has been on fire with Justin Fields as their first team leader, but the injury to Roman Wilson may force the team's hand in terms of an acquisition, which is all but ' expected ' at this point.

Related: NFL insider says the Steelers QB battle may as well be a ‘coin flip’ amid Russell Wilson's limitations