The Pittsburgh Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive in a do-or-die game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16. Now Mike Tomlin's squad is lacing up for their first of two road games to close out the 2023 season, and a loss today would essentially eliminate them from the shot at the postseason tournament.
Unfortunately, the Steelers cannot control their own destiny as they will still rely on a bit of outside help. However, they could greatly boost their odds of earning a Wild Card spot with a win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17.
Seattle is coming off their second straight victory and is looking to hang on to a Wild Card spot in a less-crowded NFC. Regardless, both of these teams are desperate for a win. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, they are looking like the healthier team as we prepare for kickoff. Here are the Steelers inactives for today's game against the Seahawks.
Steelers inactives vs. Seahawks in Week 17:
- No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett
- No. 17 S Trenton Thompson
- No. 21 CB Darius Rush
- No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick
- No. 40 LB Elandon Roberts
- No. 60 T Dylan Cook
- No. 98 DE DeMarvin Leal
There were major questions surrounding Kenny Pickett's health throughout the week, and after the way that Mason Rudolph played against the Bengals in Week 16, plenty of fans were hoping that the Steelers would roll with the hot hand. Pickett was able to practice in limited fashion this week, but he will sit this contest out. Tomlin will go with the hot hand today in Rudolph.
Unfortunately, the Steelers will once again be without former All-Pro safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick as he recovers from a knee injury. Elandon Roberts will also miss today's contest after suffering a pectoral injury against the Bengals last week. In his place, veteran linebacker Blake Martinez has been elevated. Myles Jack and Mykal Walker are expected to be the starting linebackers today.
Joining Pickett and Roberts on the sidelines today will be S Trenton Thompson, CB Darius Rush, S Minkah Fitzpatrick, OT Dylan Cook, and DE DeMarvin Leal.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks had an astounding 22 players on their Week 17 injury report to begin the Week (5 of which were listed as non-injury related). Most of these players were able to log a full practice by the end of the week, but they will still be without a number of players today, including S Jamal Adams, LB Jordyn Brooks, and DE Mario Edwards.
With everything on the line and with the AFC playoff race so tight, the Steelers' season could essentially end tonight with a loss to the Seahawks. Let's hope they can find a way to win in Seattle for the first time since 1983.