The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the eleventh week of the 2024 regular season and begin their AFC North matchups. With nine inactive lists down for the season, it should now be slightly easier to predict, but injuries are still the biggest driving force. For Week 11, the Steelers have two players ruled out, one who is doubtful, and one who is questionable that is on the 53-man roster and not on the Reserve/Injured List.

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 Saturday to make any roster moves or practice squad elevations.

Game Status

OUT:

LB Alex Highsmith (ankle)
CB C.J. Henderson (neck)

DOUBTFUL:

TE MyCole Pruitt (knee)

QUESTIONABLE:

RB Jaylen Warren (back)
*CB Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring)

*Not on the 53-man roster

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

Definitely:

LB Alex Highsmith– He’s out for this game and at least another one. That’s good news after seeing his foot sideways on Sunday.

CB C.J. Henderson– He’s been a healthy scratch since joining the 53-man roster, so it’s not really a loss if he wasn’t going to be on the field if healthy.

Most Likely:

TE MyCole Pruitt– Unless they change his status on Saturday, he’s not going to play with a doubtful designation.

QB Kyle Allen– Things are going well when Allen is the 3rd quarterback.

G Max Scharpling– Just like with Kyle Allen, when Scharpling is inactive it means all the offensive linemen are healthy.

Possibly:

RB Jaylen Warren– He’s questionable, so it’s possible Warren does not play. His status will come down to Saturday because if the Steelers sign or elevate a running back, then Warren is likely to be out.

WR Scotty Miller– He was inactive last week as the sixth wide receiver, so unless there are other numbers in his favor Miller will possibly be without a helmet again.

Unlikely:

CB Cory Trice Jr.– It wouldn’t make sense to activate Trice to the 53 and have him inactive. He’s either coming back and getting a helmet or waiting another game to be activated.

Projected Inactive List:

1. Kyle Allen+
2. Alex Highsmith
3. C.J. Henderson
4. MyCole Pruitt
5. Max Scharpling
6. Scotty Miller*

+3rd quarterback and will dress

There are different parts of this list that I am more comfortable with than others. The top two names are given, as is the fifth name. Kyle Allen is set to be the third quarterback, and Alex Highsmith is out. Also, the Steelers don’t need a ninth offensive lineman and that’s why Sharpling will be on the list. The rest of the list depends on Saturday moves.

It’s interesting that I didn’t say C.J. Henderson is definite despite being ruled out, but that’s only because I’m not convinced he’ll be on the 53-man roster come Sunday. It is possible he could be placed on IR, or possibly even released if the Steelers are bringing back Cory Trice. I think Henderson to IR and Trice to the active roster is the move that would make the most sense if the Steelers are going to do it this week.

I’m also not completely sold on MyCole Pruitt being on the list simply because the Steelers could change his designation on Saturday. I think it’s more likely that they would change his status to out than it would be to make him questionable, but it could go either way. I would put his chances at extremely high, but not definite.

So the big question is if Henderson is still on the list. If Corey Trice is put back on the 53 in place of Henderson, then Scotty Miller slides into the last spot. Or if the Steelers don’t make a move with Trice but elevate a position other than running back, I think Miller is the next name. If it’s a running back the Steelers add, then I believe Jaylen Warren goes on the inactive list on Sunday. So like it has been for the last few games, the Steelers final roster moves are going to tell a pretty big story.

UPDATE: The Steelers roster moves saw Cory Trice downgraded to out, C.J. Henderson placed on IR, and Jonathan Ward signed to the 53-man roster. The new projected list is as follows:

Projected Inactive List:

1. Kyle Allen+
2. Alex Highsmith
3. MyCole Pruitt
4. Max Scharpling
5. Scotty Miller

+3rd quarterback and will dress

The list comes down to Jaylen Warren or Scotty MIller for the last spot. If Warren is ruled out, then the Steelers will go with all six wide receivers. Personally, I think the Steelers were wise to add another running back even if Jaylen Warren can go because there would be another player in Ward to take the load and play special teams. I’m hopeful for Warren, so I’m going with Miller as inactive.

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