The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the first week of the 2024 regular season and hitting the road for the ninth time in ten years. Being the first game of the season, the true nature of the depth chart is not as clear as it will be over time and injuries will be a driving force when it comes to the inactive list every week. For Week 1, the Steelers have three players ruled out and one player listed as questionable which could go in any direction.

The rules in the 2024 season when it comes to the players active on game day have been carried over from the last four seasons with one additional caveat introduced last year. As long as a team has eight offensive linemen who will be dressing for the game, they could have 48 players on their active roster rather than the 46 in past years. If the Steelers elevate any players from their practice squad, their inactive list would increase by the same number of players. The one change since last season is one quarterback on the inactive list can be designated as the “third quarterback” and will be in uniform, but they can only enter if the other two quarterbacks are injured. The player must be on the 53-man roster and will be designated when the inactive list is released 90 minutes prior to kickoff.

Playing on Sunday, the Steelers have until 4 PM today to make any roster moves or practice squad elevations. If there is any roster move done later today, an update will be added.

Game Status

OUT:

WR Roman Wilson (ankle)
OG Isaac Seumalo (pectoral)
DT Logan Lee (calf)

QUESTIONABLE:

QB Russell Wilson (calf)

Here are the possibilities to end up inactive for the Steelers against the Falcons on Sunday:

Definitely:

WR Roman Wilson– This particular Wilson practiced all week but was only limited. He leaves an opening at wide receiver which could be unfilled or could see a practice quad elevation.

OG Isaac Seumalo– The biggest question about Seumalo will be if he goes on IR today. If not, he is likely to be back before four weeks.

DT Logan Lee– I was surprised Lee was kept on the 53-man roster in the first place. He very well could go to IR.

Most Likely:

None– Usually there are some players who are healthy and definitely not going to dress. But not this week.

Possibly:

QB Kyle Allen– This would have been a most likely choice, but with Russell Wilson being questionable it all comes down to if he gets ruled out or not. If he plays, or at least addresses as the backup, then Allen would be the third QB in case of emergency.

QB Russell Wilson– There are multiple options for Wilson. He could start. He could be good enough to backup but not be the starter. He could be ruled out. The least likely option would be him being the third QB where he would still dress. I don’t think they would do that.

DT Isaiahh Loudermilk– The Steelers are carrying two more defensive linemen than what they need to have active. Even with Logan Lee out, I will still wouldn’t dress seven and Loudermilk is definitely the seventh guy.

S Jalen Elliott– He was a surprise player to make the 53-man roster. I assumed he was the last guy in because he was left off their first depth chart once the players were cut down. But I also think Elliott could still get a helmet just for special teams.

LB Tyler Matakevich– If the Steelers have to elevate several players from the practice squad, they might not dress all five inside linebackers. It could be Matakevich that sits out, or…

LB Mark Robinson– …the choice could be Robinson.

CB Darius Rush– He was inactive for a lot of the 2023 season. Whether or not Rush gets a helmet or not may come down to the final numbers once all roster moves are made on Saturday.

Unlikely:

TE MyCole Pruitt– The Steelers carried four tight ends on the active game-day roster for a lot of 2023. I think they have even more reason to do so this season.

Projected Inactive List:

1. Kyle Allen+
2. Roman Wilson
3. Isaac Seumalo
4. Logan Lee
5. Isaiah Loudermilk
6. Darius Rush*

+3rd quarterback and will dress

I do not know if Russell Wilson will start. But I also would not be surprised if the Steelers want him as their second option even if he’s not 100%. This is really up in the air. I’m hopeful Wilson will be available even if he’s the backup, so I’m putting Allen as the third guy.

All three players who are ruled out are on the list for now. The only way this changes is if one of them goes on the Reserve/Injured List. It wouldn’t surprise me if they do, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they didn’t.

I don’t get having seven defensive lineman active on game day. I’m hoping it’s Isaiahh Loudermilk whose name is on this list. I think it’s how they should play it.

If the Steelers do elevate a player from the practice squad (or add someone to the roster with someone going on IR), I think it’s Darius Rush who is inactive. It was a tossup between him and Elliott as I think the Steelers will go there first rather than inside linebacker. If there is an elevation, chances are it’s either to have a fifth wide receiver or if the Steelers want  another option at slot cornerback in Thomas Graham. If it’s two elevations (or other additions from others going on IR), I’m probably going with Elliott as the seventh inactive, but it would depend on what positions would be added to the roster.

As always, feel free to list your projected inactives in the comments below.