Just four days ago the Steelers headed into the Colts game with all their starters active for the first time this season.
Tonight, as they take on the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field on Thursday Night Football, the same can't be said.
The Steelers will be without cornerback Joe Haden who suffered a fractured fibula against the Colts, and is inactive for the game. The defense will also be without free safety Mike Mitchell, who is inactive after he suffered an ankle injury against the Colts.
"It could be less than it might be, or could be more than we think," said Coach Mike Tomlin on Monday of Haden's injury. "The reality says he is not playing this week. We will leave him available to us in the short term until we get a better sense of what the prognosis is. Obviously if there is a chance for him to participate with our team this year, we'll leave that light on. Really, we know he's not playing this week."
With Haden out, Coty Sensabaugh will step in to his starting cornerback spot.
Sensabaugh stepped in against the Colts when Haden went down, his first action with the defense since the preseason. But despite the lack of snaps on defense, he has been preparing all season, knowing you are always a snap away from being called upon.
"It felt good getting my feet wet, getting back out there with the guys," said Sensabaugh. "I am looking forward to the opportunity. I just go out every day and try to get a little better, and however the chips fall is how they fall. It's another opportunity to go out there and prove myself, prove myself to this team, and get another win.
"I am feeling good so far. I still have time to get ready. I am in the meetings every day, going through walkthrough, watching film. I don't think there will be any lack of communication."
Vance McDonald, who suffered an ankle injury against the Colts but still returned to the game to score his first touchdown in a Steelers uniform, is also inactive tonight.
The other inactives include Joshua Dobbs, Jerald Hawkins and Matt Feiler on offense, and linebacker William Gay, who is still battling a back injury, on defense.
Here are the players who will be inactive when the Steelers take on the Titans.
Steelers Inactives
No. 5 QB Joshua Dobbs
No. 21 CB Joe Haden
No. 23 S Mike Mitchell
No. 65 OT Jerald Hawkins
No. 71 OT Matt Feiler
No. 89 TE Vance McDonald
No. 92 LB James Harrison
Titans Inactives
No. 3 Brandon Weeden
No. 15 WR Darius Jennings
No. 24 CB Kalan Reed
No. 35 DB Curtis Riley
No. 61 G Corey Levin
No. 92 OLB Kevin Dodd
No. 95 DE David King
