The Steelers inactive list for today's game against the Las Vegas Raiders is almost completely dictated by injuries.
Linebackers Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig, running back Cordarrelle Patterson, tight end MyCole Pruitt and safety Damontae Kazee were all ruled out on Friday and inactive today.
With injuries to the outside rushers in Highsmith and Herbig, and DeMarvin Leal being placed on the Reserve/Injured List on Saturday, the team will rely on three players who haven't seen a lot of action in the black and gold.
Linebackers Jeremiah Moon, who played last week against the Cowboys, Ade Ogundeji, who was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster and practice squad callup Eku Leota will all be asked to step up.
"I think Ade, Moon, Eku, have done a great job of getting the most out of the reps, have asked really good questions," said linebacker T.J. Watt. "They've played good football at a high level before. So, it's nothing new to them and I'm excited for them to get their opportunity and make some plays for us.
"It's just, do your job. That's what I try to tell them is just do your 1/11. Don't try to do too much. Just like we talk about each and every week, the plays are going to be there to be made. Just don't try to two-gap when you're supposed to be one-gapping. Don't try to shoot stuff when you're not supposed to, and the plays will fall in your lap.
"It's just about seizing the opportunity that comes your way."
While who isn't available today is a big part of today's game, who is active is an equally big part of it.
Running back Jaylen Warren is active after missing the last two games with an ankle injury. Warren, who has been out since he left the Chargers game because of a knee injury, returned to practice for the first time this week.
"It's definitely a big part of our offense," said quarterback Justin Fields of Warren. "He's a great player all around. He's great at running the ball, in pass protection, in the flat, catching the ball out of the backfield. So that'll be a huge part of our offense if we're able to get him back for sure."
Rookie receiver Roman Wilson will be active for his first NFL game, while quarterback Russell Wilson will be active for the first time this season as the No. 2 quarterback, and Kyle Allen the No. 3/emergency quarterback.
Roman Wilson missed the majority of training camp and the early part of the season with an ankle injury, working his way back onto the field in practice the last few weeks.
When talking with him on Thursday, he said he was hopeful to earn a hat and get on the field, adding to the mix that already exists at receiver and bringing his style of play to the group.
"Just another playmaker out there, someone who can make plays and be in the right spot and be consistent and someone who can help this team win games," said Wilson. "Hopefully I can bring my energy and a lot of excitement to this team being a younger guy. And people expect a lot from me, so hopefully I can live up to that."
As far as Russell Wilson, Coach Mike Tomlin gave the indication on Friday that he would 'probably' be active as the No. 2 quarterback, with Fields as the starter.
And that is the case.
"I like what I've seen out here (in practice)," said Tomlin. "Again, health and rust are two different things. I thought he had a good week displaying his health, his ability to protect himself. Now it's just a process of getting re-acclimated to the ball."
Wilson was a full participant in practice all week and said he is making progress.
"I was able to do a lot more this week," said Wilson. "It was exciting to get back out there and be a full participant and do everything, all the reps and everything else."
Wilson was asked on Thursday about his expectations for Sunday and what he thinks his role will be. He didn't have a definitive answer.
"That's a big question," said Wilson. "I'm preparing my mind to get ready to go and everything else, so that's kind of my mentality and help us win and whatever that is. And so yeah, I'm just getting prepared for (today)."
Wilson, who is a 13-year veteran, said he has been getting enough work so that getting up to speed won't be an issue.
"I've been getting all the reps," said Wilson. "It's not like I haven't been out there. I've gotten a lot of reps overall this time and everything else and I feel really confident with our guys, who we are. You guys saw some of the plays guys are making, just a lot of good things and so I feel confident about that, and I'm not worried about that part."
Wilson knows he has to be at full strength and not be dealing with the calf injury to return to the field, and said he is confident that will be the case.
"I feel confident that I'd be ready to play and play at a high level, and I think we're being really smart too and trying to understand exactly how I feel," said Wilson. "It's my first week really back out there. I feel really confident about that, and the ball's spinning, and that's a good thing.
"So, I have no doubt in my mind once I step between the white lines, I'll be ready to go."
The full list of inactives is below.
Steelers Inactives
No. 4 QB Kyle Allen (3rd QB)
No. 23 S Damontae Kazee
No. 51 LB Nick Herbig
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith
No. 64 OG Max Scharping
No. 81 TE MyCole Pruitt
No. 84 RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson
Raiders Inactives
No. 3 RB Zamir White
No. 16 WR Jakobi Meyers
No. 17 WR Davante Adams
No. 27 CB Sam Webb
No. 45 LB Tommy Eichenberg
No. 77 T Thayer Munford Jr.
No. 97 DE Janarius Robinson
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