The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the twelfth week of the 2024 regular season with a short week traveling to Cleveland. With ten inactive lists down for the season, it should now be slightly easier to predict, but injuries are still the biggest driving force. For Week 12, the Steelers have two players ruled out, but only one 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 Thursday, the Steelers have until 4 PM today to make any roster moves or practice squad elevations.

Game Status

OUT:

LB Alex Highsmith (ankle)
*CB Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring)

*Not on the 53-man roster

Here are the possibilities to end up inactive for the Steelers against the Browns on Thursday night:

Definitely:

LB Alex Highsmith– This game wasn’t happening on a short week. The hope is Highsmith has a chance following the mini-bye.

Most Likely:

QB Kyle Allen– Things are still going well when Allen is the 3rd quarterback, which he will be in Cleveland.

G Max Scharpling– Just like with Kyle Allen, when Scharpling is inactive it means all the offensive linemen are healthy which is a great thing on a short week.

RB Jonathan Ward– He was added as a fourth running back last week just in case and was inactive. There is little doubt he would be inactive this week as long as he’s still on the roster.

Possibly:

WR Scotty Miller– He was active last week as the sixth wide receiver with one less tight end available, but inactive the week before. Based on the numbers Miller will possibly be without a helmet again.

Unlikely:

Something other than these 5 without a roster move– I think this is what it’s going to be outside of the Steelers doing something by 4 PM.

Projected Inactive List:

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

+3rd quarterback and will dress

I think this is one of the easiest inactive lists this season. First, I don’t think the Steelers have any need to make a roster move ahead of this game. I thought they might activate Cory Trice, but I’m not sure who would not get a helmet so he would have one. If that was the case, there was no need to rush it. The only move I could see is if the Steelers want more help on the defensive line, but then I don’t know who else would be inactive.

Last week I thought the Steelers would have Jonathan Ward active just in case as a fourth running back, but instead they went with Scotty Miller. This week I don’t see room for either player as Miller only played seven offensive snaps and one on special teams during the game. A fourth running back or a sixth wide receiver just doesn’t require the game-day helmet unless the Steelers have one to spare.

With only five players needed on the list, one being due to injury and the rest being the usual suspects, there’s just not that much more to say.

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