With kickoff just around the corner, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills have released their inactive lists for this Sunday afternoon showdown - and there are some notable surprises on both sides.
Let’s start with Pittsburgh, where cornerback Darius Slay is a late and unexpected scratch. Slay wasn’t listed on the injury report earlier this week, so his absence raises eyebrows, especially with the Bills' passing game looming.
In response, the Steelers elevated Asante Samuel Jr. from the practice squad on Saturday - a move that now looks more strategic than precautionary. Samuel will likely be thrown into the fire against a Buffalo offense that, even without some key weapons, can still stretch the field.
On the defensive front, rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon is officially inactive due to injury - no shock there, as he was already trending in that direction during the week. Logan Lee also won’t suit up, leaving Pittsburgh a bit thin on the interior defensive line. That could be a factor as they try to contain Buffalo’s ground game and pressure the quarterback from the inside.
At quarterback, Will Howard is listed as the emergency third option. That means, barring injury to both Aaron Rodgers and the backup, Howard won’t see the field.
Speaking of Rodgers - he’s active and ready to go, just as head coach Mike Tomlin indicated earlier in the week. All eyes will be on how Rodgers performs, especially with playoff positioning starting to take shape.
On the Buffalo side, the offensive line is taking a major hit. Both starting tackles - Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown - are inactive.
That’s a tough break for a unit that’s tasked with protecting the quarterback against a Steelers front that can bring real heat. Expect Pittsburgh to test the edges early and often.
The Bills are also without linebacker Terrel Bernard, who was previously ruled out. His absence leaves a gap in the middle of Buffalo’s defense, and it’ll be interesting to see how they adjust, especially against Rodgers’ ability to manipulate linebackers with his eyes and cadence.
Offensively, Buffalo will be missing two key contributors: wide receiver Joshua Palmer and tight end Dalton Kincaid. That’s a blow to their pass-catching corps - Kincaid, in particular, has emerged as a reliable target in the middle of the field. Without him, the Bills may need to lean more heavily on their wideouts and running backs in the passing game.
Here’s a full look at the inactives for both teams:
Pittsburgh Steelers Inactives:
- WR Scotty Miller (No.
- QB Will Howard (No. 18 - emergency third QB)
- CB Darius Slay (No. 23)
- DL Logan Lee (No. 91)
- DT Derrick Harmon (No. 99)
Buffalo Bills Inactives:
- WR Joshua Palmer (No.
- LB Terrel Bernard (No.
- CB Ja’Marcus Ingram (No.
- DT Phidarian Mathis (No.
- OL Dion Dawkins (No.
- OL Spencer Brown (No.
- TE Dalton Kincaid (No.
With both teams dealing with some key absences, depth and adaptability will be tested. The Steelers’ secondary will need to hold up without Slay, while Buffalo’s offensive line faces a steep challenge against one of the league’s more aggressive front sevens. It’s a matchup with real playoff implications - and now, even more intriguing wrinkles just before kickoff.