Not many expected the Pittsburgh Steelers to show up and defeat the reigning AFC Champions, the Cincinnati Bengals, in Week 1 of the 2022 regular season, but Mike Tomlin's team did just that. The group is arguably the healthiest it has been since that first matchup heading into the second contest between the two organizations. As is the case for every week, each NFL team has a 53-man roster, but not all dress on Sundays. The Steelers inactives list for the late afternoon start At Acrisure Stadium have officially been released.
Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (#2) preparing to make a throw during 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
1.) Mason Rudolph, QB
Rudolph is almost certainly going through his final season in Pittsburgh. He has a chance to be a clear-cut #2 quarterback somewhere or even compete for a starting job depending on the situation and team. With rookie Kenny Pickett and experienced veteran, Mitch Trubisky ahead of him on the depth chart, Rudolph won't see himself active barring an injury to one of the two guys over him.
2.) Kendrick Green, G
It's hard to not look ahead to Green's future. He is absolutely on the hot seat and hasn't even been active for a game all year. If the Steelers go with an offensive lineman or multiple in the 2023 NFL draft, the former third round pick could be looking for a new team next August. For now, he remains inactive and nothing suggests that his game day status will change going forward.
3.) Ahkello Witherspoon, CB
Witherspoon has pretty much disappeared since his awful Week 8 performance against the Philadelphia Eagles. He was benched shortly before halftime and has since been dealing with a hamstring injury. He was listed on Friday's injury report as out for the game against Cincinnati so this comes as no surprise. Once he is healthy, Josh Jackson is likely to, not just land on this list, but possibly go back down to the practice squad.
Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon warms up prior to a 2022 preseason game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
4.) Mark Robinson, ILB
Robinson was a fan favorite in the preseason, but has only been active for one matchup this year. The overall health and performance from the interior linebackers has resulted in the seventh-rounder not getting much of a chance to show his hard hitting, aggressive play style. He will watch from the sidelines once again on Sunday.
5.) Josh Jackson, CB
With a healthy secondary, Jackson lands on the inactives list after filling in multiple weeks this season. Even with Witherspoon's injury, the presence and depth that Isaiahh Loudermilk provides with Joe Mixon on the other end is the most likely reason for this decision.
As expected, safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick is back after missing last week's game due to an appendicitis. The Steelers have gotten incredibly healthy on defense in recent weeks and the hope is to, of course, avoid anything changing the course of that the rest of the season.
Are you surprised by any of the inactives ahead of the Steelers divisional bout with the Bengals? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
