The Pittsburgh Steelers take on the St. Louis Rams today at Heinz Field as they look to move to 11-4 on the season. The inactives for this week are pretty easy to decipher with three players already ruled out on the Friday injury report. The Steelers will once again likely dress all three quarterbacks for this game as well. As I do every week, here is the prediction of the 7 game inactives for Saturday and a few notes on each of the players. The official inactive list of players will be announced 90 minutes before kickoff and I will have them posted on the site as soon as they are announced.
RB Mewelde Moore – Moore suffered a MCL sprain of his left knee last week against the San Francisco 49ers in the 4th quarter and was ruled out on the Friday injury report as expected. The injury is expected to also keep him out of the game next week against the Cleveland Browns in addition and Moore said in an interview this week that he hopes to heal quickly and be back in time for the playoffs. The Steelers promoted John Clay from the practice squad on Friday and he will likely only see time on the punt return team and late in the final two games should the Steelers get a big lead. Clay is not suited for a third down role, so he is merely an insurance policy to Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman going forward. Redman will likely pick up the 3rd down slack with Moore down.
WR Emmanuel Sanders – Sanders was ruled out for a third straight week on Friday as he continues to battle soreness in his surgically repaired left foot. He said earlier this week his goal is to get back to 100% by the time the playoffs begin, so he could also miss the game next week against the Browns as well. Sanders has played in just 10 games this season.
C Maurkice Pouncey – Pouncey injured his left ankle against the Browns a few weeks ago and it forced him to miss the Monday night game against the 49ers. He was limited in practice on Wednesday, but failed to practice since then. He was ruled out on Friday and might have to sit out the final game against the Browns as well to ensure he is healthy for the playoffs. Doug Legursky will make his second straight start at center against the Rams in his place.
OLB Chris Carter – Carter seems like he might be closer to returning from the hamstring injury that he has fought all season, but he was limited on Thursday and Friday in practice and listed as questionable on the Friday injury report. The coaching staff will unlikely risk it with the rookie this week and I suspect he will be inactive once again.
OLB LaMarr Woodley – Woodley started against the 49ers and played 49 snaps before exiting the game with fatigue. He did not practice on Wednesday and was limited on both Thursday and Friday. He was designated as questionable on the Friday injury report, but with James Harrison now back from his one game suspension, Woodley will likely be allowed to rest that hamstring this week. Look for Jason Worilds to start at left outside linebacker in his place.
T Jamon Meredith – The inactive list has been the home of Meredith since he was last dressed in week 8 and it should remain that way on Saturday once again. No helmet for Jamon this week.
DE Al Woods – Woods has yet to dress since being claimed off waivers several weeks ago and there is no reason to think that changes this week. He should be inactive once again.
