The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the fifteenth week of the 2024 regular season after back-to-back AFC North wins against the Bengals and Browns. With thirteen inactive lists down for the season, it should now be slightly easier to predict, but injuries still are a large driving force. For Week 15, the Steelers have three players ruled out with one other being listed as questionable and another who is not on the 53-man roster but 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:

WR George Pickens (hamstring)
S DeShon Elliott (hamstring)
DT Larry Ogunjobi (groin)

QUESTIONABLE:

OT Calvin Anderson (groin)
*DT Montravius Adams (knee)

*Not on the 53-man roster

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

Definitely:

WR George Pickens– It’s not ideal to be missing the Steelers most dynamic offensive weapon against the Eagles, but it’s also important to get him back and fully healthy for other key games on the horizon.

S DeShon Elliott– This is going to be an unfortunate test as to how much Elliott has impacted this year’s defense in a positive manner. Although the Steelers say next man up, that player(s) has some pretty quality shoes to fill.

DT Larry Ogunjobi– Luckily the Steelers have some depth on the defensive line. We’ll see if it holds up.

Most Likely:

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

Possibly:

G Max Scharpling– Because of a potential injury on the offensive line, Scharpling isn’t guaranteed to miss this game. But he’s also not guaranteed to even have a spot on the 53-man roster by game time.

OT Calvin Anderson– Popping up on the injury report Friday, Anderson is often a forgotten player on the offensive line as two other others are ahead of him on the depth chart who would likely enter the game first. But his potential unavailability could change how the Steelers handle their overall roster.

LB Jeremiah Moon– With four quality players ahead of him on the depth chart, it’s possible at any time Moon doesn’t get a helmet despite his special team’s contributions.

CB Cory Trice– He was inactive last week, but with an injury in the secondary Trice could be in the mix at cornerback if Cam Sutton slides into playing some safety.

DL Dean Lowry- He was inactive last week, but with Larry Ogunjobi out there’s a spot open. The reason it’s still a possibility is the Steelers could add Montravius Adams back to the 53-man roster ahead of the game which would put Lowry back in play for the list.

Unlikely:

LB Mark Robinson or Tyler Matakevich– I once again grouped these two players together because it would be a coin flip between them if one of them didn’t get a helmet. As long as they are healthy and on the team, the Steelers have shown they are giving these guys a helmet.

Projected Inactive List:

1. Kyle Allen+
2. George Pickens
3. DeShon Elliott
4. Larry Ogunjobi
5. Max Scharpling

+3rd quarterback and will dress

The top four names here are locked in outside of someone landing on IR. Kyle Allen is going to be the third quarterback and three players have already been ruled out. Where things get sketchy as the final spot and if the Steelers make any roster moves or practice squad elevations.

If the Steelers decide they want another safety from the practice squad, like perhaps Eric Rowe, then Cory Trice is once again in danger of being inactive. But unless a move is made in that regard later today, he should be safe.

What it really comes down to is if the Steelers want Montravius Adams back this week. If they do, they have to find a spot for him on the 53-man roster. I would assume someone like Max Scharpling as the ninth offensive lineman could be a cut candidate. But this week is not the week where the Steelers might have the luxury because of the questionable status of Calvin Anderson. Plus, if the Steelers bring back Adams and want to have both him and Dean Lowry active, who’s not going to get a helmet from last week? Is it Jeremiah moon? Do they squeeze it somewhere else?

These are all questions that will become much more clear after the Steelers make any potential moves by 4 PM. Until then, if no moves are made, the above list should be good with the exception of the last name being either Scharpling or Anderson.

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