The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off of back-to-back losses looking to bounce back against a cross-country rival, the Las Vegas Raiders. Both teams come into the contest severely hampered by injuries.
For the Steelers, the outside linebacker position is down to just TJ Watt and Jeremiah Moon with Isaiahh Loudermilk being a makeshift option in the rotation. While that will certainly complicate things for the Steelers' defense, they will be facing a Raiders offense that is largely depleted of receiving options.
Thankfully, the offensive side of the ball will get some key players back as Russell Wilson, Roman Wilson, and Jaylen Warren will all be active.
Full Inactives List for the Steelers Week 6 Game at Raiders
Player | Status |
|---|---|
Damontae Kazee | Out - Ankle |
Nick Herbig | Out - Hamstring |
Alex Highsmith | Out - Groin |
Cordarrelle Patterson | Out - Ankle |
MyCole Pruitt | Out - Knee |
Kyle Allen | Inactive - Emergency 3rd QB |
Max Scharping | Inactive |
Offensive Impacts
The offense will be a bit more intact this week. Jaylen Warren returns to the lineup for the first time since Week 1 as he's been dealing with a hamstring injury. It's likely his touches will be limited, but his presence will be welcomed as there hasn't been much confidence behind Najee Harris the past two weeks.
Roman Wilson gets a helmet for the first time in his young NFL career. It's not clear how much he'll be able to contribute as he's lacked physical reps since sustaining his ankle injury early in training camp. Nonetheless, the Steelers need a wide receiver outside of George Pickens to step up and the third-round pick is a prime candidate to do just that.
Russell Wilson will be suited up as the backup quarterback, active for the first time as a Steeler. Justin Fields has played well, but the points haven't exactly been there. It's not clear if he'll have a short leash or not, but Wilson will finally be available to step in if need be.
Pat Freiermuth is active, but his calf injury is worth monitoring as he sprung up on the injury report early in the week. He was a full participant on Friday, but don't be surprised to see a few more reps to Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward at tight end.
Defensive Impacts
Demontae Kazee sustained an ankle injury during pre-game warmups last Sunday night but still played in the game. He'll sit out this week, limiting some of the packages on the backend of the defense.
Closer to the line of scrimmage, the Steelers will go without Alex Highsmith for the third straight week. Unfortunately, his backup, Nick Herbig, suffered a hamstring injury last week and will also be inactive this week. DeMarvin Leal was set to take up some slack opposite of TJ Watt, but he's now likely out for the year with a neck injury.
Isaiahh Loudermilk, at 6-foot-7, 293 pounds, will rotate in on the edge in relief of Jeremiah Moon. The Steelers are incredibly short-handed on the edge and can't afford any more injuries.
Raiders Inactives
Player | Status |
|---|---|
Davante Adams | Out - Hamstring |
Michael Mayer | Out - Personal |
Jakobi Meyers | Out - Ankle |
Zamir White | Out - Groin |
Sam Webb | Inactive |
Tommy Eichenberg | Out - Hamtring |
Thayer Munford Jr | Out - Knee/Ankle |
Janarius Robinson | Inactive |
What to Know
Las Vegas is already going through the pains of swapping quarterbacks and now has few of their offensive weapons to lean on. Davante Adams, who is unlikely to be a Raider for much longer, is still out with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Jakobi Meyers is also out with an ankle injury, taking out the top two options for Aiden O'Connell.
While he will look for Brock Bowers more often, the depth behind Bowers is weaker as Michael Mayer is out with a personal matter. The Raiders are shorthanded and the Steelers will look to take advantage.
The Raiders will also be without starting running back Zamir White. Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah will share the load for the Las Vegas ground game.