The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the fifth week of the 2024 regular season for their first prime time game. With four inactive lists down for the season, it is now slightly easier to predict outside of the injuries. For Week 5, the Steelers have four players ruled out and three 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:

LB Alex Highsmith (groin)
RB Jaylen Warren (knee)
TE MyCole Pruitt (ankle)
RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE:

QB Russell Wilson (calf)
DT Larry Ogunjobi (groin)
LB Jeremiah Moon (ankle)

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

Definitely:

OLB Alex Highsmith– The reports are Highsmith will be looking to return after missing this week and next.

RB Jaylen Warren– Not practicing for two weeks removed all doubts about Warren‘s availability.

TE MyCole Pruitt– What was said about Warren could also be said about Pruitt.

RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson– Running very well last week, it was disappointing to see Patterson go down as the Steelers are now pretty thin at running back. He could still land on the Reserve/Injured List (IR).

Most Likely:

QB Russell Wilson– It has been the same pattern for the last several weeks. Wilson should be the third quarterback yet again.

Possibly:

DT Dean Lowry– I was going to take Lowry off the list this week because it seems that Leal being an OLB has meant an extra defensive lineman has been active. But the Steelers could have a fourth name at OLB this week so there is a possibility Lowry sits.

DT Larry Ogunjobi– But the other possibility on the defensive line is if Ogunjobi is unable to go due to his groin injury.

WR Roman Wilson– He’s been a healthy scratch the last two weeks, so there’s no guarantee that Roman Wilson will make his NFL debut in Week 5.

G Max Scharping– The Steelers have nine offensive linemen on the 53-man roster and none on the injury report. Since he just joined the team, Scharping has the potential to sit.

OT Calvin Anderson– It all comes down if the Steelers want an extra guard or tackle. If the answer is guard, then Calvin Anderson will not get a helmet.

Unlikely:

OG Isaac Seumalo– He doesn’t have an injury status, so it makes no sense for the Steelers to hold Seumalo out another week, especially with the loss of James Daniels.

LB Jeremiah Moon– This isn’t about if he will play, but if his name would appear on the list. There would be no reason for the Steelers to add Moon to the 53-man roster if he isn’t going to play.

Projected Inactive List:

1. Russell Wilson+
2. Alex Highsmith
3. Jaylen Warren
4. MyCole Pruitt
5. Cordarrelle Patterson
6. Max Scharping*
7. Roman Wilson*

+3rd quarterback and will dress

The exact number of inactives the Steelers will have this weekend all comes down to their moves later today. The Steelers only have 52 players on the active roster, so there is room to bring back Jeremiah Moon without having to release anyone else. There’s also a possibility of the Steelers needing a running back and cornerback from the practice squad. Honestly, I wouldn’t say it was possible when it comes to running back, it’s more like it’s required.

My best prediction is that the Steelers will elevate running back Jonathan Ward and cornerback Thomas Graham. I also think the Steelers very well could bring Jeremiah Moon back to the 53. I think at least two of these three things will happen with elevating a running back being a definite. So I feel the Steelers will definitely need six inactives and very possibly a seventh.

The top five are easy. Four players were ruled out and Wilson will be the third quarterback. It is possible that the Steelers could put someone like Cordarrelle Patterson on IR, but if so it’s likely one of the practice squad elevations could go to the 53. Additionally, the Steelers could merely have 52 players on the roster for the week.

It’s the sixth spot that is in question, but it will be an offensive lineman. Since it appears Seumalo is coming back at guard, I think it’s the newly acquired Scharping that will be inactive this week.

If the Steelers need a seventh inactive player, something I think they probably will, there are a variety of players it could be. I’m projecting Larry Ogunjobi will play and the Steelers will have all defensive lineman active. If this is the case, the Steelers may wait even longer before Roman Wilson gets a helmet.

UPDATE: The Steelers did add OLB Jeremiah Moon to the 53-man roster and elevated wide receiver Brandon Johnson and running back Jonathan Ward from the practice squad. These moves, especially the elevation of Johnson, fall right in line with the seven players predicted previously.

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