It’s been 6 weeks into the season, and the Steelers have finally been hit with their first significant injury to a starter. Marcus Gilbert, who has been dealing with a hamstring for the past 4 weeks, not only started against Kansas City, but left the game in the first half, reinjuring the same hamstring. This is significant, because it is an injury that already cost him 3 weeks of playing time, and important enough to have an MRI done on Monday. I don’t anticipate him returning to practice anytime soon.
Stephon Tuitt was a surprise addition to the walking wounded this week. He wasn’t hurt in the game, and Coach Tomlin did not mention him as being injured in the post game press conference or the Tuesday press conference. I assume the game caused his back to flare up, and it just didn’t get better this week. He is officially listed as out for this game and will have a week to rest his back.
Ramon Foster, Vince Williams, and Maurkice Pouncey are all starters who missed some practice time this week. All 3 project to play on Sunday, and are not officially listed on the week 7 injury report.
I continually update the Injury/Suspension/Inactive/Fine spreadsheet. Bookmark it to track the status of the Steelers each week. Click HERE
There will be 7 inactive players for the game this week. I believe they will be:
1. Josh Dobbs: Healthy Scratch/ 3rd QB
2. Marcus Gilbert: Gilbert did not practice all week, and does not project to play even with a doubtful designation. Hubbard should start for him again this week.
3. Stephon Tuitt: He is listed as out for this game so Tyson Alualu should start in his place. This injury should also make Dan McCullers active.
4. Arthur Moats: James Harrison earned a hat with his clutch sack last game, to preserve the win on the road. With Harrison active, Moats should be inactive.
5. Jerald Hawkins: This is one of the oddest situations on the inactive roster. Hawkins is the only healthy tackle on the roster, who isn’t starting on Sunday, yet the Steelers continue to leave him inactive each week. This has been consistent and Hawkins has yet to be active all year. This trend should continue.
6. Justin Hunter: This receiver position is still either going to be Hunter or Eli Rogers. Though Rogers was active last week, he didn’t contribute much to the game. Perhaps the Steelers decide each week which wide receiver will match up better against their opponent. It would be great if that is the case.
7. Xavier Grimble: Vance McDonald’s snaps have increased each week. Last week, he was not only pivotal in the running game, but he’s starting to make big plays down field catching the ball. This was Grimble’s niche, and it looks like he’s relegated to being inactive until another tight end is injured. The backup linemen have been filling in very well as extra blockers, and are doing a better job blocking then we would come to expect from Xavier.
Last week I went 5 for 7. Bringing my yearly total to 36/42.
