The Steelers head into today's game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium without some key players, but Coach Mike Tomlin is always focused on who is available rather than who isn't available.
Linebacker Alex Highsmith, running back Jaylen Warren, tight end MyCole Pruitt, and guard Isaac Seumalo are all inactive due to injuries, while cornerback Darius Rush and receiver Roman Wilson are also among the inactives, and Russell Wilson is the third quarterback.
With Highsmith out with a groin injury, it will be Nick Herbig and DeMarvin Leal who will be available and asked to step up, against both the pass and rush.
"I think if you want to be an elite player, and play on an elite level, you've got to play all three downs," said Herbig. "That was a big focus for me in camp. Mike T(omlin) talked about it every day, working on the run game."
Herbig stepped in against the Chargers when Highsmith was injured, finishing the game with two sacks.
It's par for the course with the way he takes advantage of every snap.
"I think it's my coaches and teammates, them believing in me, putting me in position to make plays, mentoring me, showing me the ropes," said Herbig. "It's a good feeling because you know your hard work is paying off.
"You work all year, all offseason, for moments like that, to be able to go out there and perform."
In addition to his work on the defensive line, Leal worked at the outside linebacker spot throughout team development and is expected to add to his role this week.
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has comfort in what Leal provides, especially seeing his maturity since he first arrived.
"A big thing with him in terms of how he approaches his job and the consistency with which he tries to do his job is a change," said Austin. "We kind of expected that when we drafted Marv. He was a young guy, 21-year-old guy who is coming in and going to have some growing to do.
"We figured there would be some growing pains along the way. I think his performance at camp and the things we like and saw about it this off-season and everything, is because of his maturity and the things he is starting to do more consistently."
Linebacker T.J. Watt knows Leal will bring it today, giving the defense what they need with Highsmith out.
"This is not his first go-around," said Watt. "He's gotten live in game reps at both end and outside linebacker. So, we're comfortable with that.
"He asks good questions. He has shown a lot of versatility in his pass rush moves. Obviously, he can stop the run.
"He is a big guy. He's not just powerful like he looks, he has a lot of finesse to him as you guys have seen. He's come a long way, and I'm really excited for him to get some playing time."
At running back, Jaylen Warren continues to be hobbled by the knee injury he suffered against the Chargers last week. When Warren left the game, it was Cordarrelle Patterson who was asked to step up behind Najee Harris. If that is the case again this week, Harris knows they will be fine.
"C.P. is a future Hall of Famer," said Harris. "He works in any offense. He is a good player. What he brings to the table is something people have to key in on. He is a good player."
Patterson considers himself a do-it-all player, even throwing out the ability to play defense, or quarterback, if needed.
"I don't sell myself short for anything," said Patterson. "I feel like I could play any position on the football field. If my name is called, I just go out there and make a play. No matter what, if it's on kickoff or punt, defense or quarterback.
"I don't sell myself short for anything. The more you can do, the more you stay around in this league. I'm so thankful God gave me the opportunity to be ready and willing to just play any position."
Even though it's early in the season, the Steelers have relied heavily on the next man up mentality, including on the offensive line, and Harris said they have to keep that going.
"It's the next man up. That is the mentality," said Harris. "Whoever is in there we expect them to do the same as the person who was in there before. It's 11-on-11, the ultimate team sport.
"We expect you to have that standard. It's just the next man up mentality. You expect them to go in there and execute the job. Just next man up."
On the offensive line, while Seumalo returned to practice this week, he won't be active today. With Seumalo out, guards Mason McCormick and Spencer Anderson are expected to both see time.
Last week against the Chargers, Anderson and McCormick rotated but were both on the field at the same time as well when the Steelers were in the jumbo package, using six offensive linemen.
Anderson said it's all part of the next man up mentality on the line. Before the season started center Nate Herbig was placed on the Reserve/Injured List, and rookie Zach Frazier has stepped in. Seumalo was injured in practice before the season started and hasn't seen game action, with Anderson and McCormick stepping up.
"I am confident in who I am," said McCormick. "I have worked really hard to put myself into this position, and so I am going to go out there and do what I need to do and play as hard as I can, and the rest will sort itself out."
"I am super excited. Any time you get an opportunity to play this game, it's a fun one. I look forward to the challenge, and whatever happens, happens."
The Steelers also elevated defensive back Thomas Graham Jr. and running back Aaron Shampklin from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive Roster for the game due to the injuries.
Graham was signed to a Reserve/Future contract at the end of the 2023 season and then added to the practice squad at the beginning of the season. He was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He played in four games for the Bears, recording 13 tackles and four passes defensed. He also spent time on the Bears practice squad.
Shampklin was with the team throughout the offseason and through the preseason, and was waived on the final roster cut and returned to the practice squad. Shampklin originally joined the Steelers when he signed a Reserve/Future contract at the end of the 2023 season. Prior to that he spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023, and also spent part of the 2022 season with the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys.
The full list of inactives is below.
Steelers Inactives
No. 3 QB Russell Wilson (3rd QB)
No. 10 WR Roman Wilson
No. 21 CB Darius Rush
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith
No. 73 OG Isaac Seumalo
No. 81 TE MyCole Pruitt
Colts Inactives
No. 4 QB Sam Ehlinger (3rd QB)
No. 6 WR Anthony Gould
No. 23 CB Kenny Moore II
No. 51 DE Kwity Paye
No. 73 T Blake Freeland
No. 78 C Ryan Kelly
No. 92 DE Genard Avery
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