With the Steelers Friday injury report in and no roster moves expected on Saturday this week to bring a player up from the practice squad, it is time to take a stab at the likely week 10 inactives. Injuries help narrow it down some along with the past gameday inactives. Below are the eight players we expect to see on the Steelers inactive list released 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday night against the New England Patriots.
QB Charlie Batch – I can\’t see Uncle Charlie getting promoted above Byron Leftwich this week. Let us hope that we do not have to see either for the rest of the season.
DE Aaron Smith – No real new news here as Smith is still on target to return for the Panthers game on December 23rd. That date could be pushed back further if the Steelers have things wrapped up pretty good by then.
T/G Chris Scott – Talk about lucky timing as the rookie Scott was down to his final hours of PUP limbo eligibility when a MRI showed the seriousness of the Max Starks injury. Scott was moved from PUP to the 53 man roster and Starks was place on injured reserve. Had Starks not been injured, it was likely that Scott was headed for IR as the 21 day PUP window closed on Wednesday. Regardless, Scott will be inactive and Tony Hills gets a gameday helmet with Starks gone for the season.
G Chris Kemoeatu – It is looking like Big Juicy will be down at least a week with a knee and ankle sprain suffered Monday night in Cincinnati. Ramon Foster gets a helmet this week and will start at left guard with Kemoeatu out injured.
DE Brett Keisel – The bearded one was listed Friday as doubtful after sitting out all week with his hamstring strain. There is no reason to push him back at 6-2, so I highly expect he will be held out this week as a precaution.
RB Jonathan Dwyer – Fellow running backs Isaac Redman and Mewelde Moore are both probable with concussions suffered on Monday night in Cincinnati, but both should play if cleared by the doctors. There still could be an outside chance Dwyer is active, but he would only see snaps in an emergency situation. My money is on him being inactive again.
WR Antonio Brown – With Emmanuel Sanders seeing more and more snaps on offense, it is unlikely AB gets a helmet this week yet again.
CB Crezdon Butler – Cornerback Keenan Lewis is the big winner this week with Keisel expected to be down and will likely be active this week. This means Crezdon will be down for the 9th straight time this year.
