Six NFL practice squads are taking shape after the 53-man cuts, with a slate of players connected to local roots landing on rosters’ perimeters. Jalyn Holmes returns to Washington’s practice squad after a Lake Taylor High/Ohio State background, Antwaun Powell-Ryland lands with Philadelphia, LaMareon James joins Cleveland, and Cole Christiansen signs with Kansas City. Rick Lovato signs with Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh brings Chuck Clark back to the active roster. These depth moves carry potential late-season impact and special-teams value for fantasy managers tracking rosters closely.

Local ties aren’t the only thread here; the Cowboys’ and Browns’ practice squads highlight how teams preserve veteran depth and development-projection in a volatile cap environment. For fantasy, the key takeaway is depth-chart instability at multiple positions, meaning sleepers on practice squads could ascend if promoted, while immediate Week 1 value remains limited for most.

The Steelers shore up safety depth by re-signing Chuck Clark and Max Scharping, while placing Will Howard and Donte Kent on short-term IR. The moves come as Pittsburgh stacks experience behind DeShon Elliott and Juan Thornhill, and after Minkah Fitzpatrick’s trade-era absences. Clark’s return adds veteran versatility, while Scharping strengthens the interior line to support the run game and protect the young quarterback lineup.

Carolina trimmed to 53 and opened a path to upgrade at linebacker and in the secondary. Five veterans are eyed as potential fits: Jalyn Armour-Davis, Chad Muma, Isaiah Simmons, Chuck Clark and Chris Paul Jr. Each represents a different angle—boundary CB depth, downhill LB prowess, versatile hybrid defender, veteran safety leadership, and rookie upside. Waivers or vested veteran deals could bring one or more aboard as Carolina rebuilds its depth chart.

The Panthers must balance floor vs. ceiling: Armour-Davis and Clark bring immediate special-teams-ready depth and steady coverage; Muma adds reliable run support; Simmons offers high-upside versatility if deployed creatively; Paul Jr. carries rookie upside but health risk. Depth chart improvements could influence week-to-week matchups and fantasy outputs for Panthers defenders.

Pittsburgh is floated as the likely landing spot for Shilo Sanders after the Buccaneers exit, according to Bleacher Report. The Steelers’ back end would lean on a Kelvin Fisher connection and the vacancy created by Minkah Fitzpatrick’s move to Miami, with Chuck Clark and Juan Thornhill already added. Sanders represents a low‑risk, long‑term option, though a recent preseason incident tempers enthusiasm. Antonio Brown’s public critique adds a spicy subplot to the chatter.

No. 21 on the Steelers carries a rich legacy. The 2025 wearer is Chuck Clark, a veteran safety who joined Pittsburgh after time with Baltimore and the Jets, providing steady depth behind Juan Thornhill and DeShon Elliott with potential starter value if called upon. The countdown traces the jersey through five Steelers to wear 21 in recent years (Clark 2025–present, Darius Rush 2023–2024, C.J. Henderson 2024, Tre Norwood 2021–2022, Sean Davis 2018–2020), and crowns Chuck Cherundolo as the franchise’s best No. 21—a Pennsylvania native who earned two Pro Bowls and a Second Team All-Pro in the 1940s and was enshrined on the Steelers Legends Team. The Jets game at MetLife Stadium provides the stage where this jersey’s story keeps growing, and fantasy managers should watch how Pittsburgh deploys 21 in base vs. nickel and how depth at safety could produce streaming opportunities in weeks 1–4.