The Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night at Heinz Field and it figures to be a great game between the two 2-1 teams. As usual, I will attempt to project the seven inactives for Sunday’s contest and below is my best guess as to which seven players won’t be given helmets for this Week 4 home game.
Game inactives are officially announced 90 minutes before kickoff, so make sure you check back at that time to see the names of the players for both teams who will be sitting the game out.
This week there really isn’t much guessing involved thanks to the Steelers ruling out seven players on Friday due to injuries.
Ramon Foster – After entering the Steelers week 3 game as questionable with an elbow injury, Foster suffered a chest injury against the Philadelphia Eagles and had to leave the game after playing 22 offensive snaps. Foster was unable to practice all week and was ultimately ruled out for the teams Sunday night game against the Chiefs on the Friday injury report. With Foster out this week, former undrafted free agent B.J. Finney will make his first career start Sunday night at left guard.
Robert Golden – Golden suffered a hamstring injury early last Sunday in the loss to the Eagles and only played 10 defensive snaps in that game. The Steelers starting safety and special teams captain wasn’t able to practice all week and was ultimately ruled out for the Sunday night game on the Friday injury report. With Golden out, former undrafted free agent Jordan Dangerfield is expected to start in his place against the Chiefs.
Ryan Shazier – Shazier aggravated a knee injury last Sunday against the Eagles and as a result wasn’t able to practice this past week. He was ruled out on the Friday injury report and will now miss the 12th regular season game of his career. Shazier is expected to be replaced by Vince williams Sunday against the Chiefs when the Steelers use their base defense.
Eli Rogers – Rogers suffered a toe injury in the loss to the Eagles and early speculation is that it will be a multi-week injury. The former undrafted free agent was the team’s starting slot wide receiver and will now be replaced by Markus Wheaton and Darrius Heyward-Bey at that position until he’s ready to return to action.
Cody Wallace – Wallace has yet to play so far this season after suffering a knee injury during the preseason. He wasn’t even able to practice on a limited basis just once this past week and that certainly isn’t a good sign. With Wallace and Foster both down on Sunday, Finney will be the team’s backup center once again with Chris Hubbard baking him up at left guard.
Roosevelt Nix – Like Wallace, Nix has yet to play so far this season and in his case it is because of a back injury. The Steelers fullback, however, was able to practice on a limited basis all three days this week so hopefully he’s getting closer to making his 2016 debut.
Senquez Golson – Golson has also yet to play so far this season after suffering a Lisfranc injury during the early stages of training camp. The former second round draft pick has since had surgery and the team is hoping he can make his NFL debut sometime after the bye week.
The Steelers long list of injured players thus week will result in quarterback Zach Mettenberger, linebacker Steven Johnson and defensive end L.T. Walton all dressing for the first time this season Sunday night against the Chiefs.
