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Steelers’ Round 4 Pick Wins Spot on Initial Depth Chart Without Playing a Snap

Five Fast Facts: Calvin Austin III

Pittsburgh, PA — Sometimes the loudest victories are earned in silence. Calvin Austin III, drafted in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, spent almost the entire training camp on the sidelines and never stepped onto the field during preseason. And yet, as the dust settled, Austin emerged as one of the biggest winners of summer — securing his place in the Steelers’ initial depth chart without playing a single snap.

For weeks, questions circled: Where was Calvin Austin? Why wasn’t he out there in drills, why didn’t he suit up for even one preseason game? The answers were simple but telling. The Steelers held him back — a cautious approach to preserve his health, protect his speed, and keep him fresh for when it matters most.

Instead of risking further setbacks, the coaching staff chose trust. And that trust says more than any August highlight ever could: Pittsburgh already views Austin as a key piece of the offense.

Austin, 25, is a homegrown talent — drafted and developed solely by Pittsburgh. Known for his blazing 4.32 speed, the Memphis product entered the league as a deep threat and return specialist. His rookie year vanished with a foot injury, but flashes in 2023 — including a 72-yard touchdown bomb against the Raiders — reminded everyone of the game-breaking ability he brings.

Though small at 5-foot-9, 162 pounds, Austin’s speed stretches defenses in ways the Steelers desperately need. With the team thin at receiver behind George Pickens, his role has become essential — absence or not.

“I know people saw me missing in camp and not playing in preseason. But in Pittsburgh, it’s not about August — it’s about Sundays in the fall. The Steelers are built on toughness and trust, and when it’s time, I’ll fight for every snap in black and gold.” — Calvin Austin III

In a city that values grit over glamour, Calvin Austin III didn’t need the spotlight of preseason to prove himself. His absence became proof of his importance. And now, with the season approaching, he enters as a reminder of what the Steelers stand for: trust, toughness, and being ready when the real fight begins.

Without playing a snap, Calvin Austin III has already won.

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Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side