The Steelers are getting healthier as Joe Haden and Vance McDonald return to the starting lineup. Vance’s blocking and athletic ability will be a nice addition, while the return of Haden will be a big boost to a defense learning to play without Ryan Shazier.
Tyler Matakevich was active last week but didn’t receive any defensive snaps. Now a week healthier, he will hopefully crack the lineup this week, instead of only contributing on special teams.
Coty Sensabaugh (shoulder) and Ramon Foster (concussion) are questionable for this week’s game. Coty played some special teams snaps last week with his shoulder. He didn’t practice on Thursday or Friday, but did practice fully on Saturday. Foster is still in concussion protocol. He practiced on Friday, but failed to practice on Thursday and Saturday.
One final move this week Marcus Gilbert returned from his PED suspension. As a result James Harrison was released, sadly ending the storied career of an all time great linebacker.
I update the Injury/Suspension/Inactive/Fine spreadsheet daily. Bookmark it to track the status for the Steelers each week. Click HERE
There will be 7 inactive players for the game this week. I believe they will be:
1. Josh Dobbs: Healthy Scratch/ 3rd QB
2. Antonio Brown: AB is listed as out and will not play.
3. Ramon Foster: Being in concussion protocol is quite clear with a player being able to play. You have to by symptom free to practice. You have to return the following day symptom free to clear protocol. Foster practiced on Friday, but must have not been symptom free, since he didn't practice on Saturday. As a result, I don’t think he has cleared protocol. That would prevent him from playing on Monday.
4. Coty Sensabaugh: I think Coty is healthy enough to play this week. With the return of Haden, and Brian Allen playing very well on special teams, Coty may actually be a healthy scratch.
5. Jerald Hawkins: The Steelers are fully stocked with all 4 tackes healthy, but being down a guard by projecting Foster as being out, Matt Feiler should be active to backup the interior.
6. Dan McCullers: Big Dan was inactive last week, and the D Line is still healthy, so he shouldn’t be active again this week.
7. JJ Wilcox was inactive for the past two weeks Haden is returning this week, so the secondary will probably go without JJ as well.
Week 15 I went 6 for 7. Bringing my yearly total to 90/106.
