The stakes couldn't be higher as the Pittsburgh Steelers faced off against their arch-rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, in a Week 18 showdown! But before the first whistle blew, one crucial piece of information dropped: the list of inactive players. These are the players who, for various reasons, wouldn't be suiting up for this pivotal game. So, who made the cut (or, more accurately, didn't)?
For the Steelers, playing at Acrisure Stadium, the inactive list was primarily populated by healthy scratches. This means these players were physically fit but simply didn't make the game-day roster. All six players are healthy scratches in Week 18, indicating the Steelers are rolling with their preferred lineup.
Quarterback Will Howard found himself in the familiar role of the team's emergency third quarterback. He'll be in uniform, ready to step onto the field, but only under the most extreme circumstances: if both Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph were to suffer injuries during the game. It's a 'break glass in case of emergency' situation for the rookie QB.
Joining Howard on the inactive list were RB Kaleb Johnson, WR Roman Wilson, CB Tre Flowers, OL Jack Driscoll, and OLB Jeremiah Moon. Notably, this marked the third consecutive game that Johnson found himself on the sidelines as a healthy scratch. What does this say about his current standing within the team? Is he struggling to find his place, or is it simply a matter of roster strategy?
But here's where it gets interesting... The Steelers welcomed back several key players from injury. OLB T.J. Watt (lung), G Isaac Seumalo (triceps), CB James Pierre (calf), WR Calvin Austin III (hamstring), and CB Brandin Echols (groin) were all deemed fit to play in this crucial regular-season finale. The return of Watt and Pierre was particularly significant, as they hadn't seen game action since Week 14 against, you guessed it, the Ravens! Seumalo was back after a two-game absence, while Austin and Echols returned after missing the previous contest. Their presence undoubtedly provided a boost to the Steelers' lineup.
Adding another layer to the roster moves, CB D’Shawn Jamison was elevated from the practice squad for the game. This isn't unusual; teams often use practice squad elevations to fill specific needs or address potential depth concerns. Jamison was active for Sunday's game and will revert back to the practice squad on Monday. This type of short-term call-up offers valuable experience for the player and flexibility for the team. And this is the part most people miss: Did Jamison's elevation signal a specific game plan against the Ravens' receiving corps? Or was it simply a precautionary measure?
Here's a quick recap of the Steelers' inactive players:
- QB Will Howard (3rd QB)
- RB Kaleb Johnson
- WR Roman Wilson
- OL Jack Driscoll
- OLB Jeremiah Moon
- CB Tre Flowers
Now, let's shift our focus to the Baltimore Ravens. Their inactive list included:
- QB Cooper Rush (3rd QB)
- WR Rashod Bateman
- CB Amani Oruwariye
- CB Keyon Martin
- T Joseph Notebloom
- DT Aeneas Peebles
- WR Keith Kirkwood
The absence of Rashod Bateman from the Ravens' lineup might have raised some eyebrows. Was it injury-related, or was it a strategic decision by the coaching staff? This could potentially impact the Ravens' passing game and force them to rely more heavily on other receivers or their running attack.
So, with the inactive lists revealed, the stage was set for a hard-fought battle between these two AFC North rivals. What did you think of the inactive lists for both teams? Did any of the names surprise you? And how do you think these absences and returns will impact the game's outcome? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
