With the Friday injury report now out for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and no Saturday roster moves expected, we can now look at the projected inactive list for the Sunday game against the New York Giants.
3 of the 7 names on the list this week will be inactive this week because those players have been ruled out for the game due to injuries and 2 more on the list were listed as doubtful. Those players are: Marcus Gilbert, Troy Polamalu, Stevenson Sylvester, Rashard Mendenhall, and Jonathan Dwyer. That leaves two spots left to be filled on the inactive list and they are easy to figure out.
Troy Polamalu – Polamalu will miss his fourth straight game on Sunday due to the calf injury that has bothered him all season. While we still do not have a solid timeframe as to when the safety will return to action, the growing speculation is that he could be ready for the Week 11 game against the Baltimore Ravens. Polamalu is reportedly doing pool therapy, but has not practiced since aggravating the calf in the first half of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Marcus Gilbert – Gilbert remains sidelined with an ankle injury that he sustained in the game against the Tennessee Titans. Like Polamalu, no timetable has been given as to when he might be ready to return to action, but it is a good bet that he will at least miss the Monday night game against the Kansas City Chiefs as well. Rookie Mike Adams will continue to start at right tackle and Gilbert very well could lose his starting spot should Adams continue to play well in his absence.
Stevenson Sylvester – Sylvester suffered a hamstring injury last week against the Washington Redskins and was not able to practice this past week as a result. The third year linebacker only saw one snap on defense last week and it was on the final kneel down for Washington. It is hard to believe that he injured it on that play, so it must have happened earlier in the game on special teams. Sylvester was ruled out for the game against the Giants on the Friday injury report.
Rashard Mendenhall – Mendenhall was able to practice on a limited basis this past week, but he is still not ready to return from the strained Achilles that he suffered a few weeks ago against the Titans. The Steelers are not likely to rush him back, but it is a good sign that he is back working again. His status for the game against the Chiefs is still up in the air and it would not be surprising if he ended up being held out of that game as well. Mendenhall was listed as doubtful on the Friday injury report, so he will certainly be inactive against the Giants.
Jonathan Dwyer – Dwyer injured his right quad late in the win over the Redskins last week. He was able to practice on a limited basis this past Thursday after sitting out Wednesday, but was unable to go on Friday. He was listed as doubtful on the Friday injury report, which is a good sign that he will sit this one out along with Mendenhall.
Alameda Ta\’amu – Ta\’amu was reinstated to the 53 man roster on Monday following his two week suspension. He has yet to suit up for a game this season and that isn\’t likely to change on Sunday against the Giants. The rookie faces several felony and misdemeanors charges stemming from an Oct. 14 early morning clash with the local police after being stopped for driving under the influence. It will likely be a long time until we see Ta\’amu dress for a game.
Charlie Batch – Batch should be inactive on Sunday yet again. No changes here.
