The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders and as has been expected all week, they will be without multiple players due to injuries.
Linebackers Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith, defensive lineman/edge rusher DeMarvin Leal, running back Cordarrelle Patterson, tight end MyCole Pruitt and safety Damontae Kazee have all been ruled out for Sunday's game.
With three edge rushers out, it will be inside linebacker Jeremiah Moon who will be asked to step up, along with Isaiahh Loudermilk again, and the potential of practice squad elevations.
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. He started off the season on the Reserve/Injured List but was activated just before the Cowboys game and is now available at the right time.
"I think it just goes to show that God's timing is perfect and sometimes things happen for a reason," said Herbig. "He can't really explain why, but it provides opportunities for guys like that.
"I'm excited for Moon. He's been out for a while, but I think he has all the intangibles to play."
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin knows it will be a challenge, but the next man up mentality has to be in full effect.
"We're going to be shorthanded, in the sense of guys that haven't played for us here, but we've got a couple of young guys that will possibly be available to us," said Austin. "We used Milk (Loudermilk) in a pinch last week. He's athletic. He's big. I know he's not going to rush from the outside like the other guys, but in terms of the run game, he'll be fine.
"We'll count on probably a couple of these young guys to kind of step up. Moon stepped up, played a little bit more than we thought he was going to play last week just coming out of the bullpen. Then we have a couple of practice squad guys, and we'll see how they shake out at the end of the week in terms of who may be a guy to help us."
The practice squad players Austin is referring to are Adetokunbo Ogundeji and Eku Leota.
"Ade has been here a little longer than Eku," said Austin. "I think being in the room and being around really helps them in terms of acclimating and being able to step in. That's why we've got those guys. Those guys have played NFL football before, and they're here just for that reason so that, if we do get banged up, we can bring them up and they'll give us a good day's work."
With Patterson out, the hope at running back this is week is that Jaylen Warren is able to return to action. Warren was a full participant in practice on Friday and is listed as questionable.
"He was a full participant today," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "Good trajectory on the upswing. Feeling optimistic about his inclusion, he's listed as questionable."
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."
Tomlin said that quarterback Russell Wilson will 'probably' be active on Sunday as the No. 2 quarterback when the team takes on the Las Vegas Raiders. Justin Fields is once again expected to start, his six straight with the black and gold.
Wilson has not been active at all this season while dealing with a calf injury, going into each game as the No. 3/emergency quarterback.
"He's probably going to be active as the No. 2 quarterback," said Tomlin. "I like what I've seen out here. 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 injury report is below
Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 6
Game Status
No. 23 S Damontae Kazee (Ankle) - Out
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Knee) - Questionable
No. 51 LB Nick Herbig (Hamstring) - Out
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Groin) - Out
No. 81 TE MyCole Pruitt (Knee) - Out
No. 84 RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson (Ankle) - Out
No. 98 DE DeMarvin Leal (Neck) - Out
Friday, October 11
No. 3 QB Russell Wilson (Calf) - Full
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (NIR - Resting) - Full
No. 23 S Damontae Kazee (Ankle) - DNP
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Knee) - Full
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick (NIR - Resting) - Full
No. 51 LB Nick Herbig (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Groin) - Limited
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting) - Full
No. 81 TE MyCole Pruitt (Knee) - Limited
No. 84 RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson (Ankle) - DNP
No. 88 TE Pat Freiermuth (Calf) - Full
No. 90 T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting) - Full
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting) - Full
No. 98 DE DeMarvin Leal (Neck) - DNP
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (NIR - Resting) - Full
Thursday, October 10
No. 3 QB Russell Wilson (Calf) - Full
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (NIR - Resting) - Full
No. 23 S Damontae Kazee (Ankle) - DNP
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Knee) - Limited
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick (NIR - Resting) - Full
No. 51 LB Nick Herbig (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Groin) - Limited
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting) - Full
No. 81 TE MyCole Pruitt (Knee) - Limited
No. 84 RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson (Ankle) - DNP
No. 88 TE Pat Freiermuth (Calf) - Limited
No. 90 T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting) - Full
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No. 98 DE DeMarvin Leal (Neck) - DNP
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (NIR - Resting) - Limited
Wednesday, October 9
No. 3 QB Russell Wilson (Calf) - Full
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No. 23 S Damontae Kazee (Ankle) - DNP
No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren (Knee) - Limited
No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick (NIR - Resting) - Limited
No. 51 LB Nick Herbig (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Groin) - DNP
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No. 81 TE MyCole Pruitt (Knee) - Limited
No. 84 RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson (Ankle) - DNP
No. 90 T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No. 98 DE DeMarvin Leal (Neck) - DNP
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (NIR - Resting) - DNP
Las Vegas Raiders Participation/Injury Report, Week 6
Game Status
No. 17 WR Davante Adams (Hamstring) - Out
No. 45 LB Tommy Eichenberg (Hamstring) - Questionable
No. 87 TE Michael Mayer (NIR - Personal) - Out
No. 16 WR Jakobi Meyers (Ankle) - Questionable
No. 77 T Thayer Munford Jr. (Knee/Ankle) - Questionable
No. 58 G Jackson Powers-Johnson (Knee) - Questionable
No. 3 RB Zamir White (Groin) - Limited
No. 37 S Trey Taylor (Knee) - Full
Friday, October 11
No. 17 WR Davante Adams (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 98 DE Maxx Crosby (Ankle) - Limited
No. 5 LB Divine Deablo (Oblique) - Full
No. 45 LB Tommy Eichenberg (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 87 TE Michael Mayer (NIR - Personal) - DNP
No. 32 WR Tyrek McAllister (Shoulder) - Full
No. 16 WR Jakobi Meyers (Ankle) - Limited
No. 74 T Kolton Miller (Knee/Shoulder) - Full
No. 7 S Tre'von Moehrig (Knee) - Full
No. 77 T Thayer Munford Jr. (Knee/Ankle) - Limited
No. 66 G Dylan Parham (Achilles) - Full
No. 58 G Jackson Powers-Johnson (Knee) - Limited
No. 25 CB Decamerion Richardson (Hamstring) - Full
No. 19 WR DJ Turner (Hamstring) - Full
No. 3 RB Zamir White (Groin) - Limited
No. 37 S Trey Taylor (Knee) - Full
Thursday, October 10
No. 17 WR Davante Adams (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 98 DE Maxx Crosby (Ankle) - DNP
No. 5 LB Divine Deablo (Oblique) - Full
No. 45 LB Tommy Eichenberg (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 87 TE Michael Mayer (NIR - Personal) - DNP
No. 32 WR Tyrek McAllister (Shoulder) - Full
No. 16 WR Jakobi Meyers (Ankle) - DNP
No. 74 T Kolton Miller (Knee/Shoulder) - Limited
No. 7 S Tre'von Moehrig (Knee) - Full
No. 77 T Thayer Munford Jr. (Knee/Ankle) - Limited
No. 66 G Dylan Parham (Achilles) - Limited
No. 58 G Jackson Powers-Johnson (Knee) - DNP
No. 25 CB Decamerion Richardson (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 19 WR DJ Turner (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 3 RB Zamir White (Groin) - DNP
No. 37 S Trey Taylor (Knee) - Full
Wednesday, October 9
No. 17 WR Davante Adams (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 98 DE Maxx Crosby (Ankle) - DNP
No. 5 LB Divine Deablo (Oblique) - Full
No. 45 LB Tommy Eichenberg (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 87 TE Michael Mayer (NIR - Personal) - DNP
No. 32 WR Tyrek McAllister (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 16 WR Jakobi Meyers (Ankle) - DNP
No. 74 T Kolton Miller (Knee/Shoulder) - DNP
No. 7 S Tre'von Moehrig (Knee) - Full
No. 77 T Thayer Munford Jr. (Knee/Ankle) - Limited
No. 66 G Dylan Parham (Achilles) - Limited
No. 58 G Jackson Powers-Johnson (Knee) - DNP
No. 25 CB Decamerion Richardson (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 19 WR DJ Turner (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 3 RB Zamir White (Groin) - DNP
No. 37 S Trey Taylor (Knee) - Limited
