The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the second week of the 2024 regular season and hitting the road for the second week in a row. With one inactive list down for the season, it is now slightly easier to predict outside of the injuries. For Week 2, the Steelers have one player ruled out and two players listed as questionable.

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 today to make any roster moves or practice squad elevations. If there is any roster move done later today, an update will be added.

NOTE: This prediction was made before Ben Skowronek was elevated from the practice squad. Since that was my prediction, I did not change the predictions.

Game Status

OUT:

OG Isaac Seumalo (pectoral)

QUESTIONABLE:

QB Russell Wilson (calf)
WR Roman Wilson (ankle)

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

Definitely:

OG Isaac Seumalo– It’s not a surprise that Seumalo is missing this game, but he may be closer to a return than previously expected.

Most Likely:

S Jalen Elliott– The Steelers didn’t have Elliott dressed last week and now they have another safety on the roster. That does not bode well for him getting the call.

Possibly:

QB Kyle Allen– It’s possible the Steelers could have Russell Wilson upgraded to the second quarterback this week, which would put Allen as the emergency player.

QB Russell Wilson– Or Wilson could find himself in the same spot again in Week 2.

WR Roman Wilson– Still not practicing fully on Friday, I think this shows Roman Wilson will likely miss another game. It will all come down to if the Steelers make an elevation from the practice squad later today.

DT Dean Lowry– There could be a point where Lowry moves into the rotation, but it might not be yet.

DT Isaiahh Loudermilk– if Dean Lowry does get a helmet, it will be at the expense of Loudermilk.

S Terrell Edmunds– All the Steelers safeties who got a helmet last week are still available, and Edmunds took the spot on the 53-man roster where it was open last week. So someone who got a helmet would have to lose one for Edmunds to break into the lineup in his first week back in Pittsburgh.

CB Darius Rush– The Steelers need another player on the inactive list. If they choose to carry in additional safety this week, it could be at the expense of a cornerback. If so, Rush did not play on defense last week and was not on the field for as many special teams snaps as other players.

Unlikely:

LB Tyler Matakevich or Mark Robinson– Both players were standouts on special teams, so chances are the Steelers will keep them both with helmets for the time being.

Projected Inactive List:

1. Russell Wilson+
2. Isaac Seumalo
3. Jalen Elliott
4. Dean Lowry
5. Terrell Edmunds
6. Roman Wilson*

+3rd quarterback and will dress

NOTE: There will be 6 inactives due to the elevation of Ben Skowronek.

While I acknowledge the Steelers could upgrade Russell Wilson to the second QB spot this week, I’m not going to do it if he’s not the starter until they show it is something they are willing to do. Isaac Seumalo was already ruled out so that’s easy for the extra offensive lineman. I’m also going with Jalen Elliott and Dean Lowry to stay on the inactive list since that’s where they were established last week.

When it came to the fifth spot, I’m very torn between Darius Rush and Terrell Edmunds. Rush did not see the field much last week but did leave with a concussion. He has been cleared so that is not the issue. I could see the Steelers keeping an extra safety rather than a cornerback, but I don’t know that they will have Edmunds on the field after being back with the team for less than a week. It’s very possible, and I wouldn’t mind seeing it, I’m just not sure that’s what they would do. That’s why I have Edmunds inactive this week and then will see if it plays out that way.

Also, I expect the Steelers to elevate Ben Skowronek again this week and have Roman Wilson inactive. We should know that one for sure later today. But if there isn’t an elevation, then I think Roman Wilson gets a helmet.

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