Inactives

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Steelers inactives for Week 5 vs. Cowboys

Oct 06, 2024 at 06:50 PM

Teresa Varley

Steelers.com

The Steelers head into tonight's game against the Dallas Cowboys a few players down after they were ruled out on Friday's injury report and are inactive.

Offensively, the team will be missing running backs Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson and tight end MyCole Pruitt. On defense, linebacker Alex Highsmith will miss his second straight game.

With Warren and Patterson out, it will be first year running back Aaron Shampklin who will back up Najee Harris.

The team elevated Shampklin from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive roster for the Colts game, and then signed him to the 53-man roster this week.

Shampklin saw his first NFL game action against the Colts, with one carry for five yards, but he is preparing for whatever is asked of him this week.

"It felt good to finally get on the field," said Shampklin. "I'm trying to help contribute to the team in any kind of way. Definitely an exciting moment for sure.

"I got the first game out of the way, but it's a long season. I really haven't made an impact like I want to. I feel like I'm still a practice squad guy still trying to make a name for myself and trying to show that I deserve to be here."

Harris is confident in Shampklin and knows the running game is in good hands.

"Shamp is a very smart player," said Harris. "For his size too, very physical, just like Jaylen. We're not shy or scared or anything about him going in there and running the ball or doing anything that all the other guys would do.

"Confident in him, confident in everybody in there. It's no downgrade from anybody. We're all excited about their opportunities. Shamp, this being his second NFL game, I'm excited for him."

The team also elevated running back Jonathan Ward from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive Roster for the game. Ward took part in the Steelers rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, was signed following it and has been on the practice squad.

In four seasons in the NFL, he has played in 43 games, carrying the ball 17 times for 69 yards, a 4.1-yard average. He also has six receptions for 52 yards, an 8.7-yard average, and one touchdown.

Ward originally signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent two plus seasons with the Cardinals, before joining the Tennessee Titans during the 2022 season. He also spent the 2023 season with the Titans.

With Highsmith dealing with the injury, the team activated outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon from the Reserve/Injured List on Saturday, after he returned to practice earlier in the week.

"It's been a long road dealing with a few injuries," said Moon. "I'm definitely grateful and working my tail off to get back, so today is the day.

"I've been doing everything, working with the trainers, eating right, staying engaged. It's been a while. I'm just grateful that my body is now recovered and everything. I'm ready to get back."

The Steelers claimed Moon off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the 2023 season. Moon originally signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft.

There is good news. Guard Isaac Seumalo is active today, the first game action he will see this season after he suffered a pectoral injury before the first regular season home game.

"I feel pretty good," said Seumalo. "I felt good the past couple of days."

Seumalo said with experience has come the ability to get back into the game without feeling a lot of rust, something that he might have answered differently a few years ago.

"I've got a lot of experience under my belt," said Seumalo. "Even last year when I had the shoulder deal, I barely practiced. I've always been pretty good at mentally staying in it and physically staying on top of being in shape and all that good stuff."
Getting Seumalo back is a big boost for the offense.

"He is a great player," said Harris. "We all know what he is capable of. Getting Issac back is getting another leader back on the line."

The team also elevated receiver Brandon Johnson from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive Roster for the game. Johnson entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos following the 2022 NFL Draft. He spent time on the practice squad and active roster over the last two seasons.

Johnson has played in 20 games, starting three, and has 25 receptions for 326 yards and five touchdowns. He played in 13 games in 2023, pulling in 19 receptions for 284 yards and four touchdowns.

Quarterback Russell Wilson is the No. 3 quarterback today, while newly signed guard Max Scharping is inactive, as is rookie receiver Roman Wilson for the fifth straight week.

The full list of inactives is below.

Steelers Inactives

No. 3 QB Russell Wilson (3rd QB)
No. 10 WR Roman Wilson
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith
No. 64 OG Max Scharping
No. 81 TE MyCole Pruitt
No. 84 RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson

Cowboys Inactives

No. 11 LB Micah Parsons
No. 19 QB Trey Lance (3rd QB)
No. 21 CB Caelen Carson
No. 42 RB Deuce Vaughn
No. 52 DE K.J. Henry
No. 79 OT Matt Waletzko
No. 81 TE John Stephens Jr.

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Pittsburgh Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz (46) prior to a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)