The Pittsburgh Steelers won't release their official game-day inactives until 11:30, but Saturday’s roster moves establish the size of my projected list. Pittsburgh elevated running back Lew Nichols and defensive back Doneiko Slaughter, meaning seven players must be inactive against the Cincinnati Bengals.
• QB Will Howard (emergency third quarterback)
• QB Drew Allar
• RB Rico Dowdle (toe)
• WR Michael Pittman Jr. (foot)
• CB Joey Porter Jr. (conditioning)
• DL Kevin Jobity Jr.
• DE Gabriel Rubio
Joey Porter Jr. remains the toughest call on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ inactive list
Joey Porter Jr. remains the most consequential call. The starting cornerback missed Pittsburgh’s first two games and was limited in all three practices this week. Although there has been optimism about a Week 3 debut, the Steelers listed him as questionable rather than clearing him after Friday’s walkthrough.
That makes another cautious approach the safer prediction. Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins make Porter’s potential absence especially painful, but Pittsburgh has already used Jamel Dean and Asante Samuel Jr. at outside cornerback. Dean is also questionable with an ankle injury, though his progression from no participation Wednesday to limited work Thursday and Friday gives him a better chance to dress.
Slaughter’s elevation supplies extra insurance in that secondary. He can help on special teams and give Pittsburgh another defensive back if Porter is held out or Dean cannot handle a full workload. His promotion is one reason the Steelers can avoid forcing Porter back before they believe he's game-ready.
Rico Dowdle is the only straightforward selection from the final injury report. He missed practice all week and has officially been ruled out with a toe injury. Pittsburgh responded by signing Travis Homer to the 53-man roster and elevating Nichols. With Jaylen Warren questionable because of a shoulder injury, both additions should dress and provide backfield and special-teams depth.
Michael Pittman Jr. is the closest decision. He missed Week 2 with a foot injury but improved enough to practice in limited doses throughout this week. That is progress, but the lack of a full practice makes one more inactive designation plausible. Rookie Germie Bernard’s expanded role gives Pittsburgh room to remain patient.
Howard and Allar have been inactive in both games, while Jobity and Rubio have been healthy scratches behind Pittsburgh’s veteran defensive-line rotation. Those four remain the most stable portion of the prediction.
Gennings Dunker does not appear here despite being ruled out Friday. Pittsburgh placed the rookie guard on injured reserve Saturday, removing him from the active roster and therefore from consideration for the seven-player inactive list.
This post will be updated with official inactives when they're released.
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