If you are looking at the positions which have been hit the hardest by injury on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster, it would be a toss-up between the safety position and inside linebacker. While it remains unclear if the Steelers will get safeties Trenton Thompson and Minkah Fitzpatrick back vs. the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18, but there could be help on the way at the inside linebacker position.

After missing last week’s game vs. the Seattle Seahawks with a pectoral injury, linebacker Elandon Roberts has declared he is playing in Baltimore Saturday evening.

This per Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Steelers ILB Elandon Roberts: “I’m playing.”

Is it a pain tolerance issue or will he be limited in any way by his pec injury?

“I’m playing.”

— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) January 4, 2024

If Roberts is able to return to the field, the Steelers would be getting one of their leading tacklers back on the field. While that is under the assumption Roberts’ injury is healed to the point where he doesn’t just play, but can have an impact while in the lineup, having him back in the lineup will be a big boost for the defense.

While Myles Jack has done well the past two weeks filling in, he and Mykal Walker certainly have their weaknesses which can be exploited by an offense like the Ravens, even without Lamar Jackson. Having Roberts as a third option will help lift the defense and help in all facets vs. an AFC North opponent. The Steelers will need all hands on deck in this game, and if it means having a 75% Roberts in the middle, it might just be better than what the Steelers have had in his stead.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Ravens this Saturday in M&T Bank Stadium.