The Steelers go on the road to play the AFC North leading Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday and they will do so with just 4 healthy wide receivers as Emmanuel Sanders and Arnaz Battle were both ruled out as expected on the Friday injury report. Also ruled out as expected was outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley. Let\’s have a look at the injured players and predict the other remaining inactives this week as the Steelers look to bounce back from their loss last week against the Ravens. The official inactive list are released 90 minutes before kick-off and I will have them up on the site as soon as they are announced.
WR Emmanuel Sanders – Sanders injured his knee during the Patriots game and he lost his mother just after that game in addition. He was inactive last week understandably and will also be out again this week after having minor knee surgery that required his knee to be scoped and cleaned up. Head coach Mike Tomlin said Sanders would be out a couple of weeks on Tuesday, so there is a chance he could miss the game after the bye against the Chiefs as well.
WR Arnaz Battle – The Steelers special teams captain injured his hamstring against the Ravens Sunday night and Battle was not able to practice all week because of it. He was ruled out on the Friday injury report, but he should be able to return after the bye week. With both Sanders and Battle both out this week, the Steelers still decided against promoting Tyler Grisham from the practice squad and they will only dress 4 wide receivers this week against the Bengals
LB LaMarr Woodley – This will make the second straight week that Woodley will miss after suffering a serious hamstring injury in the 3rd quarter against the Patriots. It is good to see them not rush him back, but they do indeed miss the pressure and sacks he was providing. Hopefully Woodley will be able to return against the Chiefs after the bye, but it is way too early to know for sure. Jason Worilds will start once again in place of Woodley.
DE Al Woods – The Steelers claimed Woods off waivers from the Seahawks earlier this week and they obviously were happy to get back their practice squad project after he was plucked away by the Buccaneers this time last year. Woods will likely stick on the 53 man roster the rest of the season unless the Steelers get in a pinch for a roster spot. He likely will be inactive for a while unless an injury to the defensive line happens.
T Jamon Meredith – The Steelers are back healthy on the offensive line and it means yet another week on the inactive list for Meredith.
G/T Trai Essex – This is a tricky guess here as it seems that Doug Legursky will indeed dress this week as he returns from his toe injury. If he does dress, he will be the interior swing guy and I think Jonathan Scott will be the swing tackle. With both Battle and Sanders down, my guess is that they will choose to dress Jonathan Dwyer to help on special teams. This one could really go either way.
Dennis Dixon – Just another week on the inactive list for Dixon. Nothing to see here.
