Lew Nichols: Everything you need to know

The Steelers signed Nichols to a reserve/future contract Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports. Nichols stuck with the Steelers' practice squad for the entire 2025 season and was elevated once for the Week 9 win over the Colts. The running back played 21 percent of special-teams snaps in the victory, getting his foot in the door as he looks to compete for a spot on the 2026 roster.

Nichols reverted to Pittsburgh's practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log. Nichols received his first elevation of the campaign ahead of Sunday's win over Indianapolis and recorded six snaps on special teams, making one tackle on kick coverage. That marked his first regular-season NFL action after being drafted by Green Bay in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Nichols was elevated from the Steelers' practice squad to the active roster Saturday. Nichols has been on the Steelers' practice squad all season. If he is active for game day and enters Sunday's game against the Colts, it will mark his first regular-season snaps as a pro. Per Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Nichols will line up for a special teams role, if active.