{"id":849847,"date":"2026-09-16T14:18:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T14:18:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/849847\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T14:18:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T14:18:13","slug":"steelers-take-look-at-two-veteran-free-agent-offensive-tackles-tuesday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/849847\/","title":{"rendered":"Steelers Take Look At Two Veteran Free Agent Offensive Tackles Tuesday"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have hosted a pair of veteran offensive tackles for Tuesday visits. Per the NFL\u2019s transactions sheet,<\/a> OT Charlie Heck came in for a tryout, and OT Austin Deculus was in for a visit.<\/p>\n

Steelers had OT Charlie Heck in for a tryout on Tuesday and OT Austin Deculus in for a visit on Tuesday. #steelers<\/a> #NFL<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Steelers Depot 7\u20e3 (@Steelersdepot) September 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

A tryout involves an on-field workout, while a visit means the player did not hold a workout.<\/p>\n

Both are veteran journeymen. Heck, 29, has played for several teams since being drafted by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He\u2019s appeared in 67 regular-season games with 29 starts, including making six starts last season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He most recently spent this summer with the Miami Dolphins before being released at cutdowns. Heck has the versatility to play both tackle spots but has largely struggled in pass protection.<\/p>\n

During the pre-draft process, Heck weighed in at over 6\u20197, 311 pounds with 34 1\/8-inch arms.<\/p>\n

A sixth-round pick in 2022, Deculus has made six starts across 26 appearances. In 2025, he made five starts for the Los Angeles Chargers. He spent the offseason with the Tennessee Titans but was released on August 31. Coming out of the NFL Draft, he measured in at 6\u20195, 321 pounds with 34 3\/8-inch arms.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s possible Pittsburgh is simply making Heck and Deculus part of their Rolodex of names should injuries occur later this season.<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh has no known injuries at offensive tackle. Troy Fautanu left Week One\u2019s game with a minor injury but returned one snap later. The Steelers have two tackle-capable offensive tackles on the practice squad in Doug Nester and Steven Jones. Both spent the spring and training camp with the team.<\/p>\n

Still, Pittsburgh is a bit thin at offensive tackle after trading Broderick Jones to the Dallas Cowboys<\/a> and placing Jack Driscoll on injured reserve to start the season. Mike McCarthy didn\u2019t offer a detailed injury report during his Monday press conference. The Steelers will issue their first formal report following Wednesday\u2019s practice.<\/p>\n