The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the third week of the 2024 regular season and finally coming home to play in front of the Acrisure faithful. With two inactive lists down for the season, it is now slightly easier to predict outside of the injuries. For Week 3, the Steelers have two players 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.

Game Status

OUT:

OG Isaac Seumalo (pectoral)
TE MyCole Pruitt (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE:

QB Russell Wilson (calf)
OT Troy Fautanu (knee)

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

Definitely:

OG Isaac Seumalo– It’s another week out for Seumalo, but I would not be surprised if he starts practicing next week.

TE MyCole Pruitt– When Rodney Williams was elevated to the 53-man roster this week, I wasn’t sure it was definitely because Pruitt would be unavailable as Williams also brings special teams capabilities for the injured Tyler Matakevich. But Pruitt is out this week with his ankle injury. Honestly, I wouldn’t be shocked if he landed on IR later today.

Most Likely:

S Jalen Elliott– I listed him first because I believe Elliott is the most definite of the most likely category.

QB Russell Wilson– Although this could have happened last week as well, there’s a chance Wilson is the backup and not the third QB option. But the fact that he is still listed as questionable I think it’s a repeat of the first two weeks.

DT Dean Lowry– There may come a point where the Steelers want Lowry on game days. But it’s likely going to take an injury for him to get a helmet and then to prove that the Steelers need him.

OT Troy Fautanu– He is questionable for the game, but the reports are Fautanu will be out for some time. If so, the Steelers will need another offensive lineman in order to have 48 players active on Sunday. When another lineman gets elevated later today or signed the 53-man roster, then Fautanu will be extremely likely to be ruled out.

Possibly:

QB Kyle Allen– If what I mentioned under Russell Wilson is what happens this week where he is the second quarterback, then Kyle Allen would have to be the third.

DT Isaiahh Loudermilk– If the Steelers decide they want to try Dean Lowry, it would be Loudermilk who would have to lose a helmet.

S Terrell Edmunds– He was inactive last game after joining the Steelers earlier in the week, so Edmunds could be inactive again. It all comes down to the numbers.

Unlikely:

WR Roman Wilson– The fact the Steelers don’t have any injury status for Roman Wilson and Ben Skrowronek is on IR, I think we see Wilson make his NFL debut this week.

Projected Inactive List:

1. Russell Wilson+
2. Isaac Seumalo
3. MyCole Pruitt
4. Jalen Elliott
5. Dean Lowry
6. Troy Fautanu*
7. Terrell Edmunds*

+3rd quarterback and will dress

I believe the Steelers will do the same thing with Russell Wilson as they have the last two weeks. The next two players in the list have already been ruled out, so unless Pruitt ends up on IR these three spots are pretty simple.

Speaking of simple, I think the next two spots are pretty straightforward as well. I think Jalen Elliott will continue to not get a helmet as long as he’s on the 53 unless there’s an injury. He’s also a player who would be prime for release if other players come off IR in a couple weeks. I also think the Steelers will stick with their defensive line the way they are doing things until an injury forces them to do something else, hence why Lowry is on the list again.

Where things get interesting is if the Steelers make any moves on Saturday. By rule, teams can only have 46 players (instead of 48) active on game day if they don’t have eight offensive linemen in uniform. When an offensive lineman gets elevated or signed to the 53-man roster, then and only then can Fautanu be added to the inactive list assuming he is not placed on IR. This is the only reason Fautanu is an additional name on the list because it will take an elevation or roster move for the number to work.

There are other possibilities for the Steelers when it comes to roster moves for Sunday. Do the Steelers still need a gunner for special teams or will somebody like Beanie Bishop end up with this responsibility? It could be James Pierre being elevated from the practice squad or even someone else. If so, then Edmunds could be helmetless again.

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