By G.Stryker
SteelerNation.com
The bye week came at the right time for the injured Pittsburgh Steelers. Eight starters/sub package starters have returned from injury and have not been given an injury designation including: TJ Watt, James Washington, Steven Nelson, Joe Haden, Mason Rudolph, Mike Hilton, and Vance McDonald. Additionally, Roosevelt Nix has returned from his week 1 knee injury. Both the running game and special teams can use his help going forward.
Three players are listed questionable. Jaylen Samuels practiced fully this week, but to ensure he is fully recovered, the team may keep him out of the game tonight. Mark Barron practiced fully on Thursday and Saturday while being limited on Friday. Ulysees Gilbert was a surprise addition to the injury report. He must have hurt his back in practice on Friday to be limited on Saturday.
Anthony Chickillo was placed on the Reserve/Commissioner Exempt List while he deals with his off-field problems. Jayrone Elliot was added back to the roster in a subsequent move.
I track and try to predict timelines for Steeler players returning to the field. This is a link to our current spreadsheet. It will update on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday after the practice reports are issued, as well as Post-Game and Tuesday after Coach Tomlin's press conferences. Bookmark it to see how the health of the Steelers are shaping up each week.
I believe the inactive players will be:
- Paxton Lynch: 3rd QB inactive.
- Ulysees Gilbert: Late injury, and probably won’t play.
- Donte Moncreif: With James Washington returning, one WR should sit.
- Jaylen Samuels: Though he practiced fully, this is a soft tissue repair and requires 4 full weeks of healing. Steelers should keep him out to ensure he is 100% next week.
- Chukwuma Okorafor: He’s the lineman that should be sitting.
- Zach Gentry: Little in special teams and Vance is back, so he should be inactive.
- LT Walton: Buggs usually sits as the extra DL, but Walton returns and is behind Buggs’ progression.
Do you think someone else will sit instead? Comment below and let us know your selections!
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