What was one of the oddest Steelers preseasons in memory has now come to a close. With camps and exhibition games in their rearview, Pittsburgh moves ahead into the regular season, attempting to piece together enough depth and experience to prohibit injuries and suspensions from derailing their goal of getting to another Super Bowl.

Some of those side stories affect others. Here are some of the more interesting stories to keep an eye on, as the NFL moves on.

Ladarius Green

What was a prized free agent acquisition has turned into a dilemma all it’s own. Ladarius Green, who was signed to a big contract this offseason to replace the retired Heath Miller, has yet to get on the field with his new team. Reports say that Green was suffering from lingering effects of concussions sustained last season, while the player (and team) maintain those concussions aren’t an issue, and that the tight end is still nursing an ankle which was surgically repaired earlier this year.

With the Steelers headed into the season opener with 2nd-year former 5th round pick Jesse James, practice squad journeyman Xavier Grimble, and a versatile David Johnson (on his second stint with the Steelers) look for a major decision to be made at the position, if any of the above names are unable to make an impact early.

Cornerbacks

Is there any stranger story than that of Senquez Golson? The 2nd-year CB has yet to play in any game, and the Steelers opted to not place him on Injured Reserve, despite an injury that could have his boot off in a week… or he won’t be ready till November.

I can’t recall a recent time where the Steelers held an injured player’s spot on the active roster for so long. Perhaps the team is so desperate to repair their secondary that they have no alternative. Pittsburgh did go out and make a gutsy trade for former Cleveland Brown’s CB, Justin Gilbert.

Gilbert was the top corner selected in the 2014 NFL Draft, but reportedly has behind-the-scenes character issues as well as on-the-field lack of production. Whether he can contribute, and become the player he was pegged to be coming out of college, is debatable, however, he gets a fresh start in Pittsburgh.

Should Gilbert or Golson fail to make a comeback, a former Steeler might instead.

Keenan Lewis was released from the New Orleans Saints weeks ago, traveled to Pittsburgh for a meeting with decision makers, and left the city without a contract.

Then he never visited another team, despite reportedly having interest from up to 8 other clubs.

The oddness behind Lewis’ story is that he is not yet ready to play, but will be healed roughly a quarter into the season. If so many teams expressed interest, why did he return home without visiting any of them except the Steelers?

Could Lewis be a contingency plan for Pittsburgh, if Golson and Gilbert don’t patch their problems?

Running Backs

As Steelers fans have learned the last couple of seasons, they can never have enough depth at the running back position.

Pittsburgh heads into the regular season with Le’Veon Bell suspended for 3 games. DeAngelo Williams starts in Bell’s place, but behind him, Daryl Richardson and Fitzgerald Toussaint, aren’t exactly household names.

Toussaint filled in admirably for Bell and Williams in the playoffs, but still has the scar of a potentially game-losing fumble in the Denver game on his resume. Richardson hadn’t played in the NFL for several seasons, but finds himself with a roster spot after a decent preseason showing, and by the virtue of Pittsburgh having little else to turn to.

That lack of depth was acknowledged when the Steelers brought in former Buffalo Bill’s RB Karlos Williams for a visit. This Williams is the younger brother of LB Vince Williams, who was likely pulling to get his baby brother a spot on the team. However, Karlos is suspended for the first 4 games of the season, and would be unavailable. He could be another “wait and see” development.

The Steelers also went out and signed former Tennessee Titan David Cobb to their practice squad. The talented Cobb was a casualty of coaching changes and a crowed backfield with the Titans, and if he lives up to his potential, may bump Toussaint or Richardson from the active roster.

Bud Dupree

While I feel the Steelers have transitioned from leaning on their outside linebackers to provide the majority of their pass rush on defense, it’s disappointing to find out Bud Dupree is going to miss a good portion of, if not the entire, 2016 season.

The Steelers were primed to roll with Dupree and Jarvis Jones as their starters, but are now forced back into a rotation which includes 38-year-old James Harrison, Arthur Moats and last year’s 6th round pick Anthony Chickillo.

I’m not one to rule out the talent of any of the linebackers in the rotation, but this is a development to watch throughout the beginning weeks of the season. The Steelers would like to keep Harrison fresh, Jones has underwhelmed in his time in Pittsburgh, Chickillo hasn’t seen much playing time, and Moats hasn’t had many opportunities to show if he can or cannot shine.

If Dupree can’t return, would the Steelers be willing to make move to acquire a veteran player to add depth to this position?