Pittsburgh Steelers: Projected inactives for Week 2
By Edward Hunt
The Pittsburgh Steelers could be short handed this Sunday for their Week 2 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
Although there isn’t anyone too serious on the recent injury report, Pittsburgh doesn’t want to lose too many people throughout the season. In their Week 2 matchup, they could be down at least one star, and could see plenty of backups missing time as well.
List of projected inactives for Week 2:
Jerald Hawkins– Hawkins has already been ruled out and he probably would have been inactive anyway even if he was healthy.
Vance McDonald– Vance McDonald was added to the injury report on Thursday and did not practice on Thursday or Friday. He will likely be out with a back injury and Xavier Grimble will be asked to be the second tight end behind Jesse James.
Stephon Tuitt– There is a possibility he plays but I think it is unlikely as he only practiced in a limited capacity on Friday. Tuitt is a key to the Steelers defense and he will be missed.
Tyson Alualu should replace him in the base defense and Javon Hargrave should replace him some in subpackage football along with Alualu. Leterrius Walton will also be the key substitute at defensive end.
JJ Wilcox– Wilcox is a recent addition and his concussion came after a hard hit that ended in a touchdown. It sounded like he came in after the Cleveland game with concussion-like symptoms and was placed into concussion protocol. He did practice in a limited capacity Friday, but a concussion is not something to mess around with.
Joshua Dobbs– Landry Jones is the backup quarterback; so, Dobbs is the third quarterback and therefore should be inactive.
Justin Hunter– The Steelers have five wide receivers active and therefore will not need Justin Hunter. Hunter does not really play special teams either.
Matt Feiler– The Steelers like to dress seven offensive linemen and thus they will not need to dress Matt Feiler. BJ Finney and Chris Hubbard will be their active offensive linemen.
I think you could make an argument for Brian Allen being inactive, but as a cornerback, I could see him dressing to cover kickoffs.
Next: Key matchup: Browns vs Xavier Rhodes
Bud Dupree and Sean Davis are no longer listed on the Steelers injury report. Sean Davis is a key starter and it will be good to get their other edge rusher back.