Pittsburgh Steelers projected inactives vs Tampa Bay

The Pittsburgh Steelers head to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers, a game they will likely play without the following players.

David Decastro – Decastro has been sidelined with a fractured hand and it is understandable that he needs to sit out another week to let it heal. The hope is that Decastro can come back sooner rather than later because he is their best offensive lineman. In the meantime, BJ Finney will be the right guard.

Marcus Gilbert – Gilbert is out with a hamstring and so it is likely that he will be out this week. He was out the first two practices and was limited the third. The good news is that he is progressing. Matt Feiler has been getting the reps at right tackle and so it is likely he will start this week over Chuckswoma Okorafor.

Morgan Burnett – Burnett is likely to be out with a groin injury. He went the wrong way on the practice report being limited on Thursday and then out for Friday and Saturday. Burnett has been a good safety over his career but also has had injury issues. Terrell Edmunds will be the starter at strong safety and I could see Marcus Allen getting his first helmet in an NFL regular season game.

Mason Rudolph – The Steelers are healthy at the quarterback position and therefore Rudolph will probably not dress. The hope at this point is that he is progressing on the scout team.

LT Walton – The Steelers are healthy on the defensive line as it looks like Tyson Alualu will dress over LT Walton. Dan McCullers has been dressing for games this year as the backup nose tackle.

Justin Hunter – Justin Hunter has turned into an inactive as James Washington has earned his way into games. The Steelers seems to be able to use special teamers Darius Heyward-Bey and Ryan Switzer in a pinch. Switzer is even being used as a running back.

Active this week:

Ramon Foster will play this week even though he was listed on the injury report. That is a good sign with injuries to David Decastro and Marcus Gilbert.

Stephon Tuitt missed the Friday practice with an illness but it looks like he will go on Monday night. He is a key player on this defense.