With the Friday injury report now out for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Saturday roster move that was expected behind us, we can now look at the projected inactive list for the Sunday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
5 of the 7 names on the list this week will be there because those players have been ruled out for the game due to injuries. Those players are: Marcus Gilbert, Troy Polamalu, Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman, and Chris Carter. That leaves two spots left to be filled on the inactive list.
John Malecki was promoted to the active roster on Saturday and that move means that he is certain to dress regardless of what happens with Maurkice Pouncey. Pouncey is the real wild card this week, but he was able to practice on a limited basis both Thursday and Friday. I suspect that Pouncey will be allowed to dress for the game, but the decision as to whether or not he starts is likely still up in the air. Mike Tomlin talked about the possibility if dressing eight linemen this week and I believe he will this week.
Let\’s take a look at the projected Sunday night inactives below.
Charlie Batch – Batch should once again be inactive this week even though Ben Roethlisberger rolled his ankle in practice this week. The only way Batch is made active is if the Steelers ultimately decide not to allow Pouncey to dress for the game. Should that happen, either Batch or Adrian Robinson will dress and be active in his place.
Marcus Gilbert – The Steelers right tackle suffered a tendon injury in his right ankle in the loss to the  Tennessee Titans and was forced to see a specialist on Monday as a result. The good news is that Gilbert will not need surgery, but the injury is expected to sideline a few more weeks going forward. Rookie Mike Adams will start in his place until he can return and rookie Kelvin Beachum will also now dress as a result.
Troy Polamalu – This will be the second game in a row that Polamalu has missed and the fourth of the season. The Steelers safety reinjured his calf early on in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles and the speculation is that he could be sidelined several more games until he will be healthy enough to return.
Rashard Mendenhall – Mendenhall strained his Achilles in just his second game back against the Titans, but the injury is not expected to be serious. Mendenhall had just made his season debut against the Eagles a few weeks ago.
Isaac Redman – Redman suffered an ankle injury against the Titans and was unable to practice this week as a result. The injury is not expected to sideline him long term.
Chris Carter – Carter seems to have the hamstring bug again after injuring one of his in the game against the Titans. The Steelers second-year linebacker missed several games of his rookie season due to battling hamstring injuries. It is unknown how long he will be sidelined this go around.
Adrian Robinson – With LaMarr Woodley back from his hamstring strain, and Stevenson Sylvester also back healthy, it appears that Robinson will be inactive once again. The only way I can see him dressing is if Pouncey is made inactive for the game.
The official list will be out 90 minutes before kickoff and we will post them as soon as they are announced in the press box.
