The Pittsburgh Steelerswill host the undefeated Cincinnati BengalsSunday at Heinz Field and here is my weekly guess at what the seven-player inactive list might look like when it is released 90 minutes before kickoff.
Terence Garvin – Garvin will again be inactive this week due a knee injury that he suffered a week ago Friday during practice. The former undrafted free agent reportedly needed a surgical procedure done to repair a torn MCL so there’s a good chance the Steelers best special teams player will be sidelined a few more weeks moving forward. With Garvin down, rookie linebacker Anthony Chickillo figures to dress in his place again on Sunday.
Will Allen – The Steelers veteran safety is still trying to battle back from the left ankle injury that suffered a few weeks ago in the Monday night game against the San Diego Chargers. Allen was able to practice on a limited basis twice this past week so perhaps that’s a sign he’s close to returning. With Allen out again, Robert Golden will start again in his place.
Stephon Tuitt – Tuitt was unable to practice for a second straight week and that will result in the defensive end missing another game due to a sprained knee. With Tuitt out again, expect to see Cam Thomas and rookie L.T. Walton both getting snaps at left defensive end against the Bengals. Nose tackle Steve McLendon should also see some snaps in the Steelers sub package on the left side with Tuitt out.
Mike Vick – Vick still hasn’t recovered from the hamstring injury that he suffered in the second half of the game against the Arizona Cardinals and thus he will be inactive again on Sunday. With Vick out and starter Ben Roethlisberger now back, Landry Jones will be the No. 2 quarterback against the Bengals.
Jesse James – The Steelers rookie tight end has yet to dress for a game this season and that doesn’t figure to change on Sunday against the Bengals at Heinz Field.
Tyler Murphy – After dressing last week as the team’s No. 2 quarterback behind Jones, Murphy will more than likely be inactive against the Bengals now that Roethlisberger is back. This should result in rookie wide receiver Sammie Coates again dressing as the team’s No. 5 wide receiver.
Chris Hubbard – Last Sunday, Hubbard dressed over new tackle Byron Stingily and that’s probably not too surprising being as the latter signed earlier in the week. It will be interesting to see how this final spot shakes out this Sunday and I’m guessing that Stingily has now learned enough of the offense in order to dress as the team’s swing tackle moving forward.
