The Steelers head into today's game against the Arizona Cardinals without two of their offensive weapons for the third straight week.
James Conner and JuJu Smith-Schuster are both inactive, ruled out on Friday because of injuries that have caused the duo to miss their third straight game. Also inactive today, a healthy scratch, is cornerback Artie Burns.
With Conner and Smith-Schuster out, young guys have stepped up and gotten the job done.
In the ground game it's been Benny Snell who has emerged as of late and he will be needed today to develop a ground game that can take pressure off Devlin Hodges.
"All of the young guys have been ready when the time has come and it's showing," said Snell. "Hopefully we can keep it up. J.C. (Conner) has done a great job of helping me develop as the player I have started to become. I am thankful for what he is teaching me. That has been helping me on and off the field. It gives me motivation he always has my back. Going forward towards the game I am prepared. I am ready."
James Washington is a guy who has stepped up in the passing game, and everyone likes what they have seen from the second-year receiver.
"He is doing a lot of great things," said Smith-Schuster. "Being able to play inside, taking over that role. A big body guy, making plays. He is out there looking like a '1' doing his job.
"It helps the whole offense. We have weapons on both sides of the field, guys who can play inside and out. It helps our running game. It helps our passing game."
In addition to Washington, Diontae Johnson and Tevin Jones have also stepped up, and they have all become deep threats for Devlin Hodges.
"I think we have had a pretty good comfort level just because I had a lot of reps in practice with those guys, especially the younger guys like James, Diontae and Tevin Jones," said Hodges. "A month ago, me and Tevin, I was throwing him the ball every rep in scout team. There has a comfort level and now it is good to still do it in game."
Washington said he loves the way his role is developing and wants to be a go-to guy for Hodges today.
"It feels good to contribute to this team, and not just get us wins, but in the playoff hunt," said Washington. "It feels good to contribute to this team and get us where we need to be.
"I enjoy making the quarterback feel confident and comfortable in the pocket, knowing that he has guys he can throw the ball to and will make plays for him.
"We just have to come out quick, start fast, and help the defense because they are playing so well this year."
Also inactive this week are quarterback Paxton Lynch, linebacker Tuzar Skipper, offensive lineman Chuks Okorafor and tight end Zach Gentry.
Steelers Inactives
No. 5 QB Paxton Lynch
No. 19 WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
No. 25 CB Artie Burns
No. 30 RB James Conner
No. 51 LB Tuzar Skipper
No. 76 OL Chukwuma Okorafor
No. 81 TE Zach Gentry
Cardinals Inactives
No. 19 WR KeeSean Johnson
No. 30 CB Jalen Davis
No. 35 S Deionte Thompson
No. 49 LB Kylie Fitts
No. 65 C Lamont Gaillard
No. 66 OT Joshua Miles
No. 82 TE Dan Arnold
