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Behind the Steel Curtain fantasy football takes on Lew Nichols
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Behind the Steel Curtain about Lew Nichols.
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All Behind the Steel Curtain insights about Lew Nichols
PositiveRoleAug 23, 2026
Running back saw reduced playing time (three carries for 11 yards) against the Jets after more work last week, but looked like his usual solid self and appeared to be moving at a far more urgent speed than Johnson when subbing in, suggesting he remains a viable depth option.PositiveUsageAug 20, 2026
Lew Nichols showed more juice as a runner than Travis Homer in the preseason opener against Green Bay, looking the best on offense of the RB3 contenders by breaking three yards per carry. He is competing for the third running back spot alongside Homer, Eli Heidenreich, and Kaleb Johnson.PositiveRoleAug 17, 2026
Lew Nichols has a strong hold on the RB3 job and is beyond the 'camp darling' label. Despite averaging just 3.6 yards per carry in the preseason opener, Nichols paced the Steelers running back room and led them in touches. He was on the field with Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle with the first and second teams, was always the third RB in line during drills and team periods, scored several touchdowns in 11-on-11 drills, and has clear support from the offense. The team's preseason deployment and practice positioning suggest they are strongly considering Nichols for the role, and he could make the team with a strong finish to the preseason.PositiveRoleAug 14, 2026
Nichols rotated in and received meaningful carries in the preseason opener, establishing himself as part of the Steelers' running back rotation ahead of Kaleb Johnson. The source contrasts Nichols' playing time with Johnson's zero offensive snaps in the first 30 minutes.PositiveRoleAug 14, 2026
The reigning Isaac Redman Award winner was the Steelers' most effective back against Green Bay, running hard for 36 yards and a touchdown with a 3.6-yard average. Nichols appears to have leapfrogged former third-round pick Kaleb Johnson on the depth chart and could have a chance at the 53-man roster. He played as the next runner up at running back behind Travis Homer, who got the 'ones' reps as the next man up behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle.PositiveRoleAug 14, 2026
Lew Nichols scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown to give the Steelers a 7-3 lead before halftime, capping Will Howard's masterful two-minute drill drive.PositiveRoleAug 10, 2026
RB3 competing for the Steelers' open third-back job; has shined throughout camp and preseason; broke free for what would have been a 20-yard touchdown scamper during Monday's practice; expected to be in line for significant workload in Thursday's game.PositiveDepth ChartAug 6, 2026
Running back continues to get second and third-team reps at the same rate or higher than Kaleb Johnson, suggesting a stronger roster position. Also got into a physical skirmish with D'Shawn Jamison during 11-on-11 team period when blocking Jamison who was coming for the quarterback.NegativeRoleAug 4, 2026
Running back Lew Nichols was one of the RB3 candidates thrown into reps pretty evenly throughout camp thus far. The source notes the Steelers have tough decisions to make in the running back room, with Nichols competing alongside Kaleb Johnson and Eli Heidenreich for the RB3 role.PositiveRoleAug 1, 2026
Nichols, a 2023 seventh-round pick from Green Bay, is competing for the RB3 role with Pittsburgh after solid preseason work last year. He got the majority of work in the RB competition today and notably ran with the first-team offense in the two-minute drill to end practice, suggesting he is the lead candidate for the backup role.PositiveDepth ChartAug 1, 2026
Nichols took reps with the first-team offense on Saturday, including the entirety of the two-minute drill. This suggests he is winning the battle for the RB3 spot with Kaleb Johnson, as the Steelers continue to evaluate their running back depth.