It comes as no surprise that Martavis Bryant is inactive for tonight's game against the Lions at Ford Field.
"I'm not playing, which is fine," said Bryant during the week. "I mean, I'm not trippin.' It is what it is."
Bryant said he spoke with Coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday, and was told he isn't playing because of social media. He got caught up in making comments on Instagram, which were later deleted, but he still had to face the consequences.
"We both got on the same page," said Bryant. "All we can do is just learn from it, get better and move on."
Bryant ran the scout team in practice during the week, and said that he used the time to get better.
"The show must go on," said Bryant. "Even if you're not playing I'm going to still work on my craft."
Also on the inactive list is defensive end Stephon Tuitt for the second straight week. Tuitt has been hampered by a back injury, and hasn't practiced the last two weeks.
"I just hope we get him back next week and I think we will," said defensive coordinator Keith Butler. "He is primed to have a good year but, we all have to keep growing. Our whole defense has to keep growing."
The Steelers have their bye week after the Lions game, which will give Tuitt some extra time to heal. In his absence, though, Tyson Alualu has stepped up. He started against the Bengals last week, recording his first sack with the Steelers, and should start again this week.
"He's a good pass rusher," said Butler. "I think he's a good pass rusher and I think he has helped us during the week, and I'm glad we do have him."
Tackle Marcus Gilbert is inactive, still battling a hamstring injury. Gilbert was inactive for the Bears, Ravens and Jaguars game, but returned to play against the Chiefs. He left the game early, though, a result of the hamstring bothering him. He missed last week's game against the Bengals as well.
With Gilbert out, Chris Hubbard will once again step in at right tackle. Hubbard has started four games in Gilbert's absence, and has held it down.
"He has been doing an excellent job," said Maurkice Pouncey. "He is playing multiple positions, guard, tackle, tight end. It's not as easy as it looks. He is an accountable player, goes out there and gets his job done and works his butt off. I respect him a lot."
Vance McDonald also missed practice this week, and he inactive tonight. McDonald suffered a knee injury against the Bengals. The Steelers have been dressing three tight ends for part of the season, with McDonald, Jesse James and Xavier Grimble all seeing action against Cincinnati last week.
Also inactive tonight are quarterback Joshua Dobbs, cornerback Brian Allen and offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins.
Here are the players who will be inactive when the Steelers take on the Lions.
Steelers Inactives
No. 5 QB Joshua Dobbs
No. 10 WR Martavis Bryant
No. 29 CB Brian Allen
No. 65 OT Jerald Hawkins
No. 77 OT Marcus Gilbert
No. 89 TE Vance McDonald
No. 91 DE Stephon Tuitt
Lions Inactives
No. 19 WR Kenny Golladay
No. 30 CB Teez Tabor
No. 34 RB Zach Zenner
No. 38 RB Tion Green
No. 58 OLB Paul Worrilow
No. 73 OT Greg Robinson
No. 77 OT Emmett Cleary
