The Pittsburgh Steelers take on the San Diego Chargers Sunday at Heinz Field and here is what the inactive list will most likely look like when it is released 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
3 of the 7 names on the list this week will be inactive this week because those players were ruled out for the game due to injuries on the Friday injury report.
Ike Taylor – The 135 consecutive game streak for Taylor will come to an end on Sunday after he fractured his right ankle early in the win last Sunday over the Baltimore Ravens. Taylor is expected to miss two weeks at a minimum, but luckily the ankle did not require surgery. DeMarcus Van Dyke will most likely get a helmet as a result of Taylor being down to help on special teams as will Josh Victorian, who was signed off of the practice squad on Saturday. Cortez Allen will start in the place of Taylor.
Mike Adams – Adams will miss his second consecutive game on Sunday with an ankle sprain so that means rookie Kelvin Beachum will make his second straight start at right tackle in his place. There has been no timetable given on when Adams might return.
LaMarr Woodley – Like Adams, Woodley also is down with an ankle injury and will miss a second consecutive game as a result. Jason Worilds will start again at left outside linebacker and hopefully he continues his strong play.
Byron Leftwich – Leftwich failed to practice on Friday as he is still recovering from the fractured rib suffered in his start a few weeks ago against the Ravens. As it stands right now, Charlie Batch has likely overtaken Leftwich on the depth chart, so this might not be the last time we see his name on the inactive list even after he returns to full health. The Steelers did waive Brian Hoyer on Saturday, so Leftwich should be ready to go next week in practice.
Rashard Mendenhall – Mendenhall remains at the bottom of the running back depth chart and will most likely be a healthy scratch on Sunday for a second week in a row as a result. The stay in the dog house might be a permanent one if Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman stay healthy, fumble free, and more importantly, productive.
John Malecki – Willie Colon is scheduled to return this week after being sidelined the last two games with a knee injury. Colon was listed as probable on the Friday injury report and it is unlikely that the Steelers will dress 8 offensive linemen for a third straight game. This means that Malecki will most likely be a scratch and his time on the 53 man roster could be coming to an end soon should the team need another spot.
Plaxico Burress – The final spot on the inactive list is a tough one to decipher again this week. Jerricho Cotchery looks to be able to return from his two week injury absence on Sunday so it could result in Burress being inactive. Burress only saw the field for just one snap last week against the Ravens and his failure to play special teams will likely result in the aforementioned Victorian getting his helmet. If Cotchery is not ready to play, then Burress will dress and Cotchery will be on the inactive list. This really could go either way, but most of the reports suggest Cotchery is ready to return. We shall see.
