Steelers Nation got some great news just in time for the holidays as George Pickens is off of the injury report for the first time in three games.
The Steelers' offense has been stagnant without the former Georgia Bulldog, so they'll welcome him back to the lineup with open arms.
Pickens is not the only one to return for a Christmas Day matchup with the first-place Kansas City Chiefs. Safety DeShon Elliott, Larry Ogunjobi, and Donte Jackson all logged full practices on Monday and Tuesday and are ready to return to a defense that has struggled to get off of the field in the past two games.
Of course, the Steelers didn't just get good news as a couple of key players on defense and special teams will be unavailable. The naughty and nice lists have been checked twice, so let's take a glance at today's inactives list.
Full Inactives List for Steelers in Week 17
Player | Status |
|---|---|
Justin Fields | Inactive - Abdomen - *Emergency 3rd QB |
Ben Skowronek | Out - Hip |
Joey Porter Jr. | Out - Knee |
Preston Smith | Inactive |
Dean Lowry | Inactive |
Offensive Impacts
Justin Fields gets a helmet this week but is only available in an emergency situation at quarterback. Ben Skowronek will be more missed on special teams as an exceptional gunner, though his blocking on the edge of the offense has value too.
Defensive Impacts
Preston Smith was a surprise late addition to the injury list, and it appears he's a healthy scratch this week after seeing action in every game since being traded for from Green Bay.
With Ogunjobi back in the lineup, Dean Lowry sits back once again.
Of course, the big story is Joey Porter Jr, who will miss his first start of the 2024 season. Cory Trice will pick up the snaps in his stead. With the speed of Xavier Worthy, Donte Jackson may match up there more often, leaving Trice to handle the likes of DeAndre Hopkins and Hollywood Brown.
It could be a tough task on the back end of the defense thanks to the Porter injury. Thankfully, DeShon Elliott is back to man the intermediate middle so Minkah Fitzpatrick can keep a cap on the defense.
Full Inactives List for Chiefs
Player | Status |
|---|---|
Chris Jones | Out - Calf |
Chamarri Conner | Out - Concussion |
Joshua Uche | Inactive |
CJ Hanson | Inactive |
DJ Humphries | Out - Hamstring |
Ethan Driskell | Inactive |
Malik Herring | Inactive |
What to Know
Chris Jones is out, which is massive for the young Steelers along the offensive line. The Chiefs still hold one of the best defenses in the NFL, but Pittsburgh will enjoy not having to take on one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL.