The Steelers offensive line goes into today's game against the Broncos a little beat up, with tackle Marcus Gilbert inactive for the fifth straight week.
In addition, tackle Matt Feiler, who has stepped in for Gilbert, has a pectoral injury.
However, Feiler is active today.
As a safety valve, rookie Chukwuma Okorafor, who has seen playing time lately as a tackle eligible/blocking tight end, could be called into action and got snaps with the first team this week.
"He is a big, strong young guy," said offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner. "I say young because he is. He's got his footing. He's had to play. We have put him in positions to play. It's not going to be foreign to him in the huddle with Ben (Roethlisberger). He has been in there. He now has a bigger role he will have to be ready to fill."
Okorafor said the playing time he has gotten so far will be an asset, especially with the task of blocking pass rushers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.
"It would be different walking in now, not having played at all, trying to block Von or Chubb," said Okorafor. "This has helped. It's still going to be a huge challenge. I just have to do my job."
Defensive end Stephon Tuitt will miss his second straight game, still hampered by an elbow injury and inactive today.
With Tuitt out both Tyson Alualu and Daniel McCullers will see extended playing time.
"I want to go out there and be accountable and help the defense as much as I can," said McCullers. "I just want to try and do my job. The more playing time I have been getting, it helps a lot. It helps getting the playing time and showing coach what I can do."
Also inactive this week are Mason Rudolph, Justin Hunter, Marcus Allen, Matthew Thomas and Zach Banner.
The full list of inactives is below.
Steelers Inactives
No. 2 QB Mason Rudolph
No. 11 WR Justin Hunter
No. 27 S Marcus Allen
No. 46 LB Matthew Thomas
No. 72 OT Zach Banner
No. 77 OT Marcus Gilbert
No. 91 DE Stephon Tuitt
Broncos Inactives
No. 35 S Dymonte Thomas
No. 38 DB Shamarko Thomas
No. 45 LB Alexander Johnson
No. 54 ILB Brandon Marshall
No. 57 DE DeMarcus Walker
No. 70 OG Sam Jones
No. 74 C Nico Falah
