The Pittsburgh Steelers should be without this list of players as they take on the Atlanta Falcons in an important Week 5 must-win matchup.
Vince Williams – Williams is listed as doubtful for the Week Five game against the Falcons. He has a hamstring injury which made him leave early in Sunday’s game. He was replaced by LJ Fort. I see him being replaced by some combination of Matthew Thomas, LJ Fort and Tyler Matakevich. Jon Bostic will start on the other side.
Darrius Heyward-Bey – The Steelers gunner will probably be out for Sunday’s game. He has an ankle injury which kept him out all week. I could see this injury lingering a few weeks. He will be replaced by new roster addition Brian Allen as a gunner on punts. I also think Justin Hunter will get a helmet to add depth at the receiver position.
Morgan Burnett – Burnett is listed as doubtful with a groin injury after being limited on Wednesday and then not practicing on Thursday and Friday. This tells me that this injury is worse than the Steelers thought. I think he will be out this week and the hope is that he will be back before the bye. He will be replaced again by Terrell Edmunds at strong safety.
Mason Rudolph – Rudolph is the Steelers third QB at this point and is thus not getting a helmet this Sunday.
LT Walton – Walton is the Steelers sixth defensive lineman this year and will be inactive again as he has been inactive all but one game.
Zach Banner – Banner is the Steelers ninth lineman and will certainly be out with no major injuries on the line. Even if an eight lineman dresses for depth, that eighth won’t be Banner.
Matt Feiler – I think the Steeler like to have at least seven linemen and so the eighth is kind of a toss-up. I project that Chukswoma Okorafor will dress at the tackle eligible and swing offensive tackle. I could also see this spot going to Marcus Allen although I think the Steelers will want to dress a fourth safety with Nat Burhe on the reserve/injured list. That means this could be Marcus Allen’s regular-season debut, although I think he will only play on kickoffs barring injuries.