news-engine

Eli Heidenreich was the feel-good story of the NFL Draft as a uniform-wearing Navy midshipman chosen by his hometown team in front of family and friends. But publicity alone won’t earn anyone a roster spot. So the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie is striving to show how his invitation to the NFL wasn’t merely a made-for-TV moment. “Naturally there’s some people that might assume that it was a hometown pick, or whatever someone wants to say,” Heidenreich said Tuesday. “But I’m here to play football, and that’s it.” The Mt. Lebanon native and pass-catching running back is poised to make his preseason debut at 7 p.m. Thursday when the Steelers host the Packers at Acrisure Stadium. Heidenreich confirmed he returned to practice Tuesday after being sidelined with an undisclosed injury. “Health-wise, I feel great,” he said. “I took a few days off. … But I’m healing up.” The 23-year-old is already familiar with Acrisure Stadium. He was sitting in the seats as a fan last January when the Ravens’ last-gasp field goal missed in the regular-season finale. But this will be his first time playing a game in the stadium. When Mt. Lebanon won a WPIAL football title his senior year, the Class 6A final was played at Norwin. “It’s an honor to just get out there and play in that stadium,” Heidenreich said. “I think that’s the best way for me to put it. It is something I’ve dreamed of for a long time, and I’m excited to get out there.” The Steelers drafted him in the seventh round with the last of their 10 picks, which made Heidenreich’s odds of sticking around seem long. But this franchise has embraced late-round or undrafted rookie running backs before, a list that includes Steelers Hall of Honor inductee Willie Parker. That history isn’t lost on Heidenreich, nor the fact that strong preseason play typically helped them make the team. “Absolutely,” he said. “And even look at our two running backs right now. It’s how you work and how you prepare and you’re going to be given some sort of opportunity. It might be more than others or less than others. You should have to make the most of what you got.” Steelers running backs Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle both went undrafted. They each contributed on special teams as rookies, which is a route Heidenreich is ardently pursuing nowadays. “Special teams is not something new to me,” he said. “I had the chance to play all four phases at Navy throughout my three years starting there.” Steelers offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio stressed that position flexibility is a key for anyone making the team. That could also apply to the practice squad for those cut from the 53-man roster. “The more you can do is certainly beneficial,” Angelichio said. “Whether it’s on (special) teams or playing offense, splitting out, playing in the backfield. He’ll be included in the mix, and we’re going to stress him as much as we can mentally and just see where this thing goes.” Heidenreich will have family among the crowd Thursday, surely including those who saw him drafted in April on a stage just outside Acrisure Stadium. But he said this won’t be a night to reminisce. “For me, preseason is really important,” Heidenreich said. “I’ve got to put my best foot forward. I’ll be locked in when I get there. I think maybe I’ll take a moment afterward (to take in the atmosphere). But while I’m getting there and in the game, I’m going to be focused up.”