The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the 17th week of the 2023 needing to win their final two contests to give them the best shot at the postseason. In a very big road contest on the west coast, the Steelers find themselves down four safeties and three inside linebackers.

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 Saturday to make any roster moves or practice squad elevations, the exact number for the list is subject to change. While there is almost a guarantee of two elevations from the practice squad unless they are moved to the 53-man roster, the Steelers are definitely going to be making moves on Saturday. Because of these potential moves, they will ultimately determine the number of players who will be inactive. (UPDATE: Shortly before this arcticle published, the Steelers announced the elevations of Myles Jack and Eric Rowe.)

Game Status

OUT:

S Trenton Thompson (neck)
S Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee)
LB Elandon Roberts (pec)

QUESTIONABLE:

QB Kenny Pickett (ankle)

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

Definitely:

S Trenton Thompson– It looked all week like Thompson would be back, and then Friday happened.

S Minkah Fitzpatrick– Many fans were hopeful Fitzpatrick could come back and help the depleted safety position. It just didn’t happen this week.

LB Elandon Roberts– The only one who was left of the big three ILBs to start the season, Roberts has continued to get banged up and might be done for the regular season.

Most Likely:

OT Dylan Cook– The offensive line is healthy, so Cook will be on here again.

CB Darius Rush– Much like last week, I’d like to find a way to have Rush active. I just can’t find the numbers to justify it.

Possibly:

QB Kenny Pickett– He’s questionable and he’s not starting, so the Steelers may have Kenny Pickett inactive again. But will it be with the third quarterback designation and have him dress?

QB Mitch Trubisky– To me, if Kenny Pickett is going to dress then have him be QB2. It’s time for Trubisky to fall where he belongs on the depth chart.

DL DeMarvin Leal– It has been Leal or Loudermilk the last few weeks. The question isn’t “if” but “who.”

DL Isaiahh Loudermilk– Last week it was Leal. Is it Loudermilk’s turn?

Unlikely:

LB Blake Martinez– After being inactive the last few weeks, Martinez is the next man up with a Elandon Roberts down.

Projected Inactive List:

1. Trenton Thompson
2. Minkah Fitzpatrick
3. Elandon Roberts
4. Dylan Cook
5. Darius Rush
6. Isaiahh Loudermilk
7. Mitch Trubisky (3rd QB)

This week the top five names are pretty much a given. As I said earlier, the only one I’d like to see active would be Darius Rush but there just isn’t space.

Since two players who are expected to start this week are on the practice squad, I’m going with the notion that there will be two elevations and therefore seven inactives. The only way it is different from Eric Rowe or Miles Jack not being the practice squad elevations is if the Steelers make a roster move to put either of them on the 53. I don’t see that as necessary at this point, so these are the moves I expect especially since I don’t see anyone else from the practice squad that they need to bring up. (UPDATE: As expected, the Steelers announced the elevations of Myles Jack and Eric Rowe on Saturday morning.)

For this reason, the last two spots belong to quarterback and defensive line. I’m going with Mitch Trubisky being the third quarterback this week. The only way that doesn’t happen is if the Steelers have Kenny Pickett out and do not dress him. I think what gives the Steelers the best chance to win if they have Pickett as the backup so I’m hoping that’s what they do for this week.

When it comes to defensive line, I don’t know if it’s a rotation or simply matchup based. For that reason, I’m going with the rotation and saying since last week it was DeMarvin Leal this week it will be Isaiah Loudermilk.

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