The Steelers make their one and only scheduled Monday Night Football appearance this week on the road in Cincinnati. The inactives are a little easier to judge this week based on a solid history of 7 games and one player listed out on the injury report in the form of Aaron Smith. The only real mystery revolves around if Keenan Lewis or Steve McLendon will be the one to sit with Brett Keisel scheduled to return from his hamstring injury. Below are the eight players we expect to see on the Steelers inactive list released 90 minutes before kickoff on Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.
CB Keenan Lewis – With Keisel back this week, this spot is the only mystery. It could go to McLendon as easy as it could go to Lewis. Even with Keisel back the line is still short a body and I think Mike Tomlin plays it safe and keeps McLendon active another game just in case the man with the beard has a gameday set back. McLendon also played on the field goal block team last week.
DE Aaron Smith – According to the reports coming out over the last week, Smith is on target to return for the Panthers game on December 23rd. Keep your fingers crossed no more injuries happen and his roster space is needed.
QB Charlie Batch – Sorry Charlie! What you did to begin the season will never be forgotten by most of us in Steeler Nation.
T Tony Hills – The Chris Scott roster decision is due any day now, but I doubt it will cost Mr. Hills his roster spot. Barring injury, Tony will be here every week for a while.
WR Antonio Brown – Reports have surfaced that despite another fumble and costing the Steelers a 4th down conversion to Hines Ward, Emmanuel Sanders will be active again. At some point you would like to see both kids on the gameday 45. If it happens though it will likely be due to injury.
G Ramon Foster – Trai Essex and Doug Legursky are ahead of him on the depth chart and he really is just a swing guy who is probably best suited as a reserve left guard instead of a right side guy. It won\’t matter what he is or isn\’t again this week.
RB Jonathan Dwyer – He bought a dresser and nightstand the other day and has plenty of time to decide how to put it together per his Tweets. Sounds like he has company coming. Oh, he is for sure down this week.
CB Crezdon Butler – I wonder if he went shopping with Dwyer.
