The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to take on the AFC North Champion Baltimore Ravens in a Wild Card matchup for the right to pursue a championship dream. Both teams come into the game relatively healthy on the injury report, though the Steelers had two key players pop up on the injury report during the week.
First-team All-Pro selections Cameron Heyward and Chris Boswell were both listed with illnesses, causing both talents to miss two days of practice each, leaving their status for the Saturday night contest in question.
Both players reportedly had the flu. Heyward battled the sickness during the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals and missed practice Tuesday and Wednesday. Boswell missed Wednesday and Thursday.
As for the Ravens, their injury report during the week was only four players long. However, their biggest concern is the status of young standout wide receiver Zay Flowers. The former Boston College Eagle suffered a knee injury in the Ravens' regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns to clinch the division title.
Steelers Full Inactives List for Wild Card Week
Player | Status |
|---|---|
Roman Wilson | Out - Hamstring |
Cole Holcomb | Out - Knee |
Logan Lee | Out - Calf |
Scotty Miller | Inactive |
Jamal Agnew | Inactive |
Mason McCormick | Out - Hand |
Preston Smith | Inactive |
Cory Trice Jr. | Inactive |
Offensive Impacts
Chris Boswell is active and will handle his normal kicking duties tonight. It's not clear if Boswell is still battling the flu, but he and the Steelers must be sure that he can kick at the All-Pro level he has displayed throughout the 2024 season in tonight's game.
Mason McCormick will miss this contest with a hand injury. Spencer Anderson will start in his place at right guard.
Roman Wilson is out once again inactive, leaving him just one more opportunity to become active should the Steelers advance to the Divisional Round. Interestingly, the Steelers released wide receiver Scotty Miller after the regular season ended but re-signed him to the practice squad and elevated him to the active roster in time for the game which still left him inactive.
Defensive Impacts
Cameron Heyward played through the flu last week and is now poised to take the field with a cleaner bill of health.
Preston Smith and Cory Trice Jr. make for interesting inactives. Smith may be inactive due to special teams adjustments while Trice is bumped with Dante Jackson back in the lineup despite playing rather well in his absence.
Ravens Full Inactives List
Player | Status |
|---|---|
Zay Flowers | Out - Knee |
Beau Brade | Inactive |
Rasheen Ali | Inactive |
Marcus Williams | Inactive |
Adisa Isaac | Inactive |
Nick Samac | Inactive |
Keith Kirkwood | Inactive |
What to Know
The Ravens will be without their electric young receiver Zay Flowers, as expected. While his absence will no doubt impact the Ravens' effectiveness in the passing game, it was the Baltimore rushing attack led by Derrick Henry that was Pittsburg's undoing in the most recent matchup.
Despite being limited in practice on Tuesday, star safety Kyle Hamilton will be roaming the defensive backfield for the Ravens tonight.