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Lew Nichols fantasy football news and podcast insights

Source-backed player signal from monitored fantasy football podcasts, shows, videos, articles, and social posts.

RBPIT31 insightsLatest Aug 23, 2026

19

Positive signals

1

Negative signals

4

Sources

Aug 23, 2026

Latest update

PositiveUsageAug 23, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Saw reduced playing time (three carries for 11 yards) compared to the previous week but looked like his usual solid self. When he subbed in for Kaleb Johnson, he appeared to be moving at a far more urgent speed, suggesting better efficiency and burst than Johnson. The competition for RB3 remains wide open behind starters Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle.

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PositiveRoleAug 23, 2026Behind the Steel Curtain

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.

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NegativeRoleAug 21, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Running back Lew Nichols was a lead back in the Steelers' preseason opener against Green Bay, when the team totaled just 72 yards on 28 carries (2.6 yards per carry).

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NegativeUsageAug 21, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Nichols had a decent preseason performance with 10 carries for 36 yards and a touchdown against the Packers, but his touchdown was negated by a holding penalty on Troy Fautanu. The Steelers' running game overall was inefficient with 28 carries for 72 yards (2.8 per carry average), and Nichols was the only back to average better than 2.3 yards per carry.

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PositiveUsageAug 20, 2026Behind the Steel Curtain

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.

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PositiveUsageAug 20, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Lew Nichols showed more juice as a runner than Travis Homer in the Packers preseason game, looking the best on offense of the running back group by breaking three yards per carry. The source notes this performance in the context of the RB3 competition, where Nichols is competing against Homer, Eli Heidenreich, and Kaleb Johnson for a single available roster spot.

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PositiveUsageAug 19, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Nichols earned more touches than listed starter Travis Homer in the preseason opener against the Packers, signaling the Steelers' interest in keeping him on the roster; the source states 'Lew Nichols got more touches than the starter Homer in the opener, which may signal interest in keeping him around.'

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NegativeRoleAug 17, 2026RotoWire NFL Articles

Lew Nichols followed Travis Homer at running back for the Steelers in preseason week 1.

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NegativeUsageAug 17, 2026RotoWire NFL Articles

Lew Nichols handled backfield work early in preseason Week 1 for the Steelers.

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PositiveRoleAug 17, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Nichols has a strong hold on the RB3 job; despite averaging just 3.6 yards per carry in the preseason opener, he paced the Steelers running back room and led them in touches. In practice, Nichols was on the field with Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle with the first and second teams while Eli Heidenreich and Kaleb Johnson were relegated to the second practice field with the third and fourth teams. Nichols was always the third RB in line to get touches during drills and team periods, scored several touchdowns during 11-on-11 drills, and has the clear support of the offense. The way things played out in the preseason game and where the team has him playing in practice suggests they are at least strongly considering Nichols for the role; he could be on the verge of making the team with a strong finish to the preseason.

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PositiveRoleAug 17, 2026Behind the Steel Curtain

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.

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NegativeRoleAug 14, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Nichols rotated in and received meaningful carries in the Steelers' preseason opener, establishing himself as part of the running back rotation ahead of Kaleb Johnson.

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PositiveRoleAug 14, 2026Behind the Steel Curtain

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.

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PositiveUsageAug 14, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

The running back out-carried third-round draft pick Kaleb Johnson significantly, recording 10 carries for 36 yards. With top running backs Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle sitting out, Nichols was one of the more productive backs in the game, ahead of Eli Heidenreich (nine carries, 21 yards) and Travis Homer (four carries, eight yards). He also had a touchdown called back due to a holding penalty by Troy Fautanu.

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PositiveRoleAug 14, 2026Behind the Steel Curtain

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.

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NegativeRoleAug 14, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Lew Nichols appeared in the red zone on multiple occasions. A Nichols touchdown was negated by a Troy Fautanu holding call during Mason Rudolph's 16-play drive in the first half. Later, Nichols punched in a rushing touchdown on the goal line following Will Howard's two-minute drill to give the Steelers a 7-3 lead.

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PositiveRoleAug 14, 2026Behind the Steel Curtain

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.

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NegativeRoleAug 14, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Lew Nichols, a 2023 seventh-round pick, came in after Travis Homer for the Steelers in preseason action. Nichols appeared to score on a 6-yard touchdown run but it was negated by a penalty, placing him ahead of Kaleb Johnson on the depth chart.

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NegativeUsageAug 14, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Nichols, a 2023 seventh-round pick, came in after Travis Homer for the Steelers in the preseason opener and appeared to have a 6-yard touchdown run, but it came back due to a penalty.

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PositiveRoleAug 10, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Nichols has shined throughout camp as the RB3 job is seemingly wide open. During Monday's practice, he broke free for what would likely have been a 20-yard touchdown scamper, and he stood out in the preseason for the Steelers last year, positioning him to be in line for a big workload in Thursday's preseason game.

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PositiveRoleAug 10, 2026Behind the Steel Curtain

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.

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NegativeRoleAug 6, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Nichols was involved in a scuffle with D'Shawn Jamison during Day Seven practice that required separation, indicating competitive intensity on the field.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 6, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

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 team period.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 6, 2026Behind the Steel Curtain

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.

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NegativeRoleAug 4, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Nichols was thrown into RB3 reps pretty evenly throughout camp alongside Kaleb Johnson and Eli Heidenreich as the Steelers evaluate the third running back role.

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NegativeRoleAug 4, 2026Behind the Steel Curtain

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.

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PositiveNewsAug 2, 2026Zain Dhanani

Zain Dhananion X

Not a great sign for us Eli Heidenreich fans Don’t really understand why Lew Nichols is getting reps above hi Via @ASaunders_PGH

Not a great sign for us Eli Heidenreich fans Don’t really understand why Lew Nichols is getting reps above hi Via @ASaunders_PGH

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PositiveRoleAug 1, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

The 2023 seventh-round pick from Green Bay, who was cut after a solid preseason last year, is back competing for the RB3 role with Pittsburgh. On Saturday, Nichols got the majority of work in the running back rotation and notably ran with the first-team offense in the two-minute drill to end practice, suggesting he is gaining ground in the backup competition.

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PositiveRoleAug 1, 2026Behind the Steel Curtain

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.

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NegativeRoleAug 1, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Lew Nichols took reps with the first-team offense, including the entirety of the two-minute drill on Saturday, which is not a great sign for Kaleb Johnson as the Steelers continue the battle for the RB3 spot.

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PositiveDepth ChartAug 1, 2026Behind the Steel Curtain

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.

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