The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks, and Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed after practice that Mason Rudolph will start at quarterback. Quarterback Kenny Pickett, who is dealing with an ankle injury, is questionable for the game.
Linebacker Elandon Roberts won't play after suffering a pectoral injury against the Bengals last week. In addition, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick will be sidelined once again, ruled out and missing his second straight game with a knee injury, and safety Trenton Thompson has also been ruled out.
With Fitzpatrick and Thompson out, Damontae Kazee suspended, and Keanu Neal on the Reserve/Injured List, it will be cornerback Patrick Peterson who is once again expected to step up and play safety.
"Pat competes, but it's his preparation," said defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. "Pat's a very smart guy. It's not like he's out of position a lot of times, and I think that allows you to have that versatility because you understand not only what you're doing, but what's going on behind."
The Bengals game was the first time Peterson started at safety for the Steelers and he earned praise all around.
"He seemed like a natural," said linebacker Alex Highsmith. "He hadn't played it all year. It shows how good of a player he is, how versatile he is. He can play corner or safety. Having guys like that means a lot."
While he is playing the position to help with injuries, it might be a spot he feels comfortable in down the road.
"We'll see where it goes from here," said Peterson. "I really did feel comfortable, felt great, made a couple plays to help this defense be successful and ultimately help this team win the ballgame.
"I thought I fared pretty good, didn't have to make any open-field tackles. Honestly, in my opinion, that's what safety is going to come down to for me. I feel like I have exceptional ball-skills to where I can track the ball wherever it is. It's just going to come down to getting those open-field runners down when those opportunities present themselves."
With Roberts out, Coach Mike Tomlin has already indicated that linebacker Blake Martinez could be called into action.
Martinez has seen action in only one game since he was signed, playing against the New England Patriots in Week 14.
"I have been working at it every week," said Martinez. "Whenever the opportunity was bound to come, I had to make sure I was ready to go.
"The biggest thing is the expectation, bringing that level even higher. For me it's just I came back after a year and a half. This is a big game, a playoff game, raising that expectation a little higher. That first game I got in helped me even more for now."
Martinez joined a linebacker room that now has multiple players from his draft class, including Roberts, Myles Jack and newly signed Jaylon Smith.
"It's been awesome," said Martinez. "We joke that it's all of us from the 2016 NFL Draft class. It's been cool to be around all of the guys and just feed off of each other."
The full injury report is below.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 17
Game Status
No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett (Ankle) - Questionable
No. 17 S Trenton Thompson (Neck) - Out
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Knee) - Out
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (Pectoral) - Out
Friday, December 29
No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett (Ankle) - Limited
No. 17 S Trenton Thompson (Neck) - DNP
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Knee) - Full
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Knee) - DNP
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (Pectoral) - DNP
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Shoulder) - DNP
Thursday, December 28
No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett (Ankle) - Limited
No. 17 S Trenton Thompson (Neck) - DNP
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Knee) - Full
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Knee) - DNP
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (Pectoral) - DNP
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Shoulder) - Full
Wednesday, December 27
No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett (Ankle) - Limited
No. 17 S Trenton Thompson (Neck) - Limited
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Knee) - DNP
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Knee) - DNP
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (Pectoral) - DNP
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (Shoulder) - DNP
Seattle Seahawks Participation/Injury Report, Week 17
Game Status
No. 1 WR Dee Eskridge (Ribs) - Out
No. 70 T Jason Peters (Foot) - Out
No. 57 LB Frank Clark (NIR - Resting) - Out
No. 33 S Jamal Adams (Knee) - Out
No. 97 DE Mario Edwards (Knee) - Out
No. 9 RB Kenneth Walker III (Shoulder/Illness) - Questionable
No. 44 LB Nick Bellore (Knee) - Questionable
No. 56 LB Jordyn Brooks (Knee) - Questionable
No. 14 WR DK Metcalf (Back) - Questionable
No. 21 CB Devon Witherspoon (Hip) - Questionable
Friday, December 29
No. 1 WR Dee Eskridge (Ribs) - DNP
No. 70 T Jason Peters (Foot) - DNP
No. 44 LB Nick Bellore (Knee) - DNP
No. 97 DE Mario Edwards (Knee) - DNP
No. 57 LB Frank Clark (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No. 14 WR DK Metcalf (Back) - DNP
No. 33 S Jamal Adams (Knee) - DNP
No. 9 RB Kenneth Walker III (Shoulder/Illness) - Limited
No. 56 LB Jordyn Brooks (Knee) - Limited
No. 21 CB Devon Witherspoon (Hip) - Limited
No. 72 T Abraham Lucas (Knee) - Limited
No. 55 DE Dre'Monte Jones (Shoulder) - Full
No. 75 G Anthony Bradford (Elbow) - Full
No. 87 TE Noah Fant (Knee) - Full
No. 19 WR Jake Bobo (Knee) - Full
No. 68 G Damien Lewis (Neck) - Full
No. 11 WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Knee) - Full
No. 22 CB Tre Brown (Heel) - Full
No. 99 DE Leonard Williams (Ankle) - Full
Thursday, December 28
No. 1 WR Dee Eskridge (Ribs) - DNP
No. 70 T Jason Peters (Foot) - DNP
No. 9 RB Kenneth Walker III (Shoulder/Illness) - DNP
No. 44 LB Nick Bellore (Knee) -DNP
No. 56 LB Jordyn Brooks (Knee) - DNP
No. 97 DE Mario Edwards (Knee) - DNP
No. 55 DE Dre'Monte Jones (Shoulder) - DNP
No. 57 LB Frank Clark (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No. 14 WR DK Metcalf (Back) - DNP
No. 75 G Anthony Bradford (Elbow) - Limited
No. 33 S Jamal Adams (Knee) - Limited
No. 21 CB Devon Witherspoon (Hip) - Limited
No. 87 TE Noah Fant (Knee) - Full
No. 19 WR Jake Bobo (Knee) - Full
No. 68 G Damien Lewis (Neck) - Full
No. 11 WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Knee) - Full
No. 72 T Abraham Lucas (Knee) - Full
No. 22 CB Tre Brown (Heel) - Full
No. 99 DE Leonard Williams (Ankle) - Full
Wednesday, December 27
No. 1 WR Dee Eskridge (Ribs) - DNP
No. 70 T Jason Peters (Foot) - DNP
No. 9 RB Kenneth Walker III (Shoulder/Illness) - DNP
No. 44 LB Nick Bellore (Knee) - DNP
No. 56 LB Jordyn Brooks (Knee) - DNP
No. 97 DE Mario Edwards (Knee) - DNP
No. 54 LB Bobby Wagner (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No. 90 NT Jarran Reed (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No. 87 TE Noah Fant (Knee) - DNP
No. 75 G Anthony Bradford (Elbow) - Limited
No. 19 WR Jake Bobo (Knee) - Limited
No. 33 S Jamal Adams (Knee) - Limited
No. 21 CB Devon Witherspoon (Hip) - Limited
No. 68 G Damien Lewis (Neck) - Limited
No. 6 S Quandre Diggs (NIR - Resting) - Limited
No. 16 WR Tyler Lockett (NIR - Resting) - Limited
No. 11 WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Knee) - Limited
No. 72 T Abraham Lucas (Knee) - Full
No. 22 CB Tre Brown (Heel) - Full
No. 99 DE Leonard Williams (Ankle) - Full
