The Pittsburgh Steelerswill host the 4-3 Oakland Raiders Sunday 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 remains out with a MCL injury that suffered a few Fridays ago in practice and this will make the third straight game that he’s missed. With Garvin sidelined, rookie Anthony Chickillo figures to dress once again in his place.
Matt Spaeth – At some point in the Steelers loss last Sunday, Spaeth must have suffered a knee injury. Head coach Mike Tomlin, however, did not mention him being injured after the game or on Tuesday during his weekly press conference, so it was a bit of a surprise that Spaeth showed up on the Wednesday injury report. With Spaeth out, Will Johnson will more than likely serve as the No. 2 tight end. This will be the second game that Spaeth has missed this season.
Doran Grant – Even though Grant was promoted to the 53-man roster this week from the team’s practice squad, it’s probably unlikely that he gets a helmet Sunday against the Raiders and especially if safety Will Allen returns this week from the ankle injury that has kept him sidelined since Week 5.
Jesse James – Even though Spaeth has been ruled out for Sunday’s game, it doesn’t necessarily mean that James will dress in his place. The Steelers fifth-round draft pick out of Penn State has yet to dress for a game this season.
Byron Stingily – Since signing with the team a few weeks ago, Stingily has yet to dress for a game as Chris Hubbard has been given the helmet ahead of him. It’s scary to think that we are one snap away from seeing Hubbard play tackle, but until Stingily dresses over him, that will likely be the case.
L.T. Walton – With defensive end Stephon Tuitt set to return this week, one would think that Walton will go back to the inactive list after dressing the last six games. The Steelers sixth-round draft pick this year has played all of 29 defensive snaps this season and just 7 in the last two games.
Mike Vick – This certainly will be an interesting Sunday afternoon as Vick managed to end the week listed as probable on the team’s injury report after practicing fully all three days. Will he be the No. 2 behind starter Ben Roethlisberger this week, or has Landry Jones done enough to continue dressing? I will guess the latter.
