Pittsburgh Steelers: Week 5 projected inactives
By Edward Hunt
The Pittsburgh Steelers could be missing some quality backups in their Week 5 meeting with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
For the first time all season, the Steelers may only be missing one starter. With most of their defense back and healthy *knock on wood* this team is finally ready start their run towards the top. Against a tough Jacksonville team, Pittsburgh will have nothing handed to them, but should have the pieces on both sides to keep the upper hand in this one.
Projected inactives:
Marcus Gilbert is listed as doubtful for the game and so I don’t expect him to play against the Jaguars. Chris Hubbard will play right tackle again and Matt Feiler will probably get a helmet on gameday.
Josh Dobbs will be a healthy scratch as the Steelers third quarterback. He has been on this list for the previous four games and that should not change against the Jaguars.
Jerald Hawkins will probably be down as a healthy scratch. Although he has been practicing, you have to think Matt Feiler is ahead of him at this point.
Daniel McCullers will probably be down on Sunday. McCullers is the Steelers sixth defensive lineman and won’t be needed as Tyson Alualu and LT Walton are capable of filling in at nose tackle.
Brian Allen will probably be down as the Steelers will already have five healthy corners going on Sunday. Allen is a project at cornerback and is not a particularly valuable special teams player at this point in his career.
Justin Hunter is probably the sixth inactive. Although I think Eli Rogers has a chance to be the inactive receiver, but coach Mike Tomlin did say that it was a game off from punt returning for Eli Rogers and not a “firing.” That has me thinking Rogers will be back in the fold as a punt returner and a slot receiver behind Juju Smith-Schuster.
Next: Jags could be another ground game for Steelers
James Harrison will probably be the seventh inactive. I know he has been a critical player for the Steelers over the years and will be a Hall of Famer. I just think his spot behind Anthony Chickillo on the outside linebacker pecking order and his inability to play special teams will make him inactive this week. They will need him down the stretch.