Steelers Release First Depth Chart of 2021; Brooks, Hassenauer in Starting Spots

Cale Berger |

Updated: Jul 24, 2021

Pittsburgh Steelers center J.C. Hassenauer (60) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 1 matchup against the New York Giants, Monday, Sept. 7, 2020 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

The Pittsburgh Steelers have released their first depth chart of the 2021 season, and we finally have some clarity as to what the club will do at center and slot corner.

Veteran J.C. Hassenauer is listed as the starter at center over rookie Kendrick Green.

After joining the Steelers as a street free agent in 2019, Hassenauer saw his first significant action last season. He appeared in 15 games a year ago with four starts. Specially, Hassenauer played 235 snaps at center, including nearly all of the Steelers’ Week 12, 13 and 17 games replacing Maurkice Pouncey.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced Thursday that Green will start the Hall of Fame game against the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 5 in Canton, Ohio.

As for slot corner, second-year defensive back Antoine Brooks Jr. is listed as the starter in that crucial spot.

Following the departure of Mike Hilton, nickel corner was a glaring hole that Pittsburgh needed to fill this preseason. Brooks appears to be their first option through a handful of practices.

Selected in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Maryland, Brooks bounced between the Steelers’ practice squad and active roster last season. He played 39 total snaps in 2020, and recorded two tackles in the Steelers’ Dec. 2 game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Cornerback Arthur Maulet is listed as the second option at the position. There are no other surprises on the depth chart otherwise three practices into training camp.