The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the tenth week of the 2023 and are kicking off the second half of the season in their last of three-straight home games after 10 days rest. Despite having eight games under their belt, the inactive list continues to evolve due to various injuries.

The rules in the 2023 season when it comes to the players active on game day have been carried over from the last three seasons with one additional caveat. 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 this 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.

With the Steelers having until 4 PM on Saturday to make any roster moves or practice squad elevations, the exact number for the list is technically subject to change. While there likely will be a need to elevate at least one linebacker from the practice squad, there are a number of possible moves that could occur for Week 10. Because of these potential moves, they will ultimately determine the number of players who will be inactive.

Game Status

OUT:

S Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring)
DL Montravius Adams (ankle)

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

Definitely:

S Minkah Fitzpatrick– There was some hope the Fitzpatrick would be back this week, but he couldn’t get on the practice field and has once again been ruled out.

DL Montravius Adams– Adam‘s only got a couple snaps last week before he injured his ankle. The severity of the injury beyond missing this week is unknown so he is a candidate to land on the Reserve/Injured List (IR) on Saturday.

Most Likely:

QB Mason Rudolph– Different week, same spot on the inactive list.

OT Dylan Cook– All offensive lineman are healthy, so the status quo of Cook on the inactive list is almost guaranteed.

DL Breiden Fehoko– Even with an injury keeping Adams out of the lineup, the Steelers had two defensive linemen inactive last week so the bottom one in Fahoko likely still lands on the list.

Possibly:

RB Godwin Igwebuike– If the Steelers need a sixth player inactive, I expect the first candidate to be a running back. Will it be Igwebuike…?

RB Anthony McFarland Jr.– …or will it be McFarland? Since he hasn’t played since Week 1, it’s hard to know what the Steelers are thinking.

Unlikely:

CB Darius Rush– With Fitzpatrick out again, not only should Rush get a helmet but he might get additional snaps played like in Week 9.

DL Armon Watts– I know he was on the inactive list last week, but Watts should be the one who replaces Adams.

Projected Inactive List:

1. Minkah Fitzpatrick
2. Montravius Adams
3. Mason Rudolph
4. Dylan Cook
5. Breiden Fehoko
6. Godwin Igwebuike*

I’m putting six players on the inactive list because I feel the Steelers have to bring up at least one inside linebacker, and could even elevate two. Since I’m not sure who would be the seventh player, I’m leaving the cut off at six for now.

With Minkah Fitzpatrick missing last week and Darius Rush getting a helmet, I think that’s the same trade-off. I also believe that Armon Watts is the next defensive line man on the depth chart with Adam‘s being out, but the Steelers could choose to go with the big nose tackle in Fehoko to specifically replace Adams. I don’t expect it, but it is possible.

Cook and Rudolph are automatic unless something major changes.

For the sixth position, which I expect the Steelers to need to use unless they make a move by releasing a player or putting someone on IR, I’m giving the nod to McFarland over Godwin Igwebuike. I don’t know if that’s what the Steelers will do, but it’s what I would like them to do.

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