Injuries for the Steelers this week will add a new name to the inactive list this week against the Cleveland Browns as running back Mewelde Moore is out with a knee injury. This means rookie Jonathan Dwyer will likely be active for the first time this season. Below are the eight players we expect to see on the Steelers inactive list released 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday against the Browns and why.
QB Charlie Batch – Time is winding down perhaps for old man Charlie as a Steeler. He again will be the #3 quarterback this week and inactive.
DE Aaron Smith – Will this be the last game Aaron is inactive this year? We don\’t know for sure, but he is hoping to start practicing as soon as next week. Let\’s hope so.
RB Mewelde Moore – MeMo went down late with a knee injury against the Panthers and did not practice all week. He was ruled out on Friday and will not play on Sunday. Jonathan Dwyer will get a helmet this week and perhaps help out on special teams.
DT Steve McLendon – As long as the defensive line stays healthy, McLendon will be inactive. There is no reason to think that changes this week.
T Chris Scott – Not that the rokkie Scott had a chance to be active this week, but missing Thursday with a non injury related situation surely did not help his chances. You can guarantee Scott will be inactive the rest of the way baring multiple injuries.
LB Jason Worilds – Worilds has been limited all week with a knee injury suffered against the Panthers and it will likely cost him his helmet this week. The Steelers need his special team talent during the playoffs, so expect him to be down this week.
T Tony Hills – The Steelers will likely dress just 7 linemen this week so that will likely mean that Hills is down once again. The Steelers need the extra bodies on special teams with Moore and Worilds both likely sidelined.
S Troy Polamalu – This last spot is a coin flip. Do you really risk playing Troy this week? Is it that important to get him work? If he is not 100%, he should not play. The Steelers will likely dress both Crezdon Butler and Keenan Lewis to help on special teams this week. If for some reason Polamalu is dressed this week, I think this spot goes to Lewis instead.
