The Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9 with several key players sidelined due to injuries and illness. Safety Jabrill Peppers and wide receiver Scotty Miller were declared inactive after being ruled out on Friday. Additionally, safety Chuck Clark and linebacker Cole Holcomb were ruled out on Saturday because of illness.
Peppers was expected to fill in for safety DeShon Elliott, who suffered a hyperextended knee against the Green Bay Packers and was placed on the Reserve/Injured List last Friday. Coach Mike Tomlin commented on Elliott’s absence: “He’s a significant component of what we do, particularly relative to some of the things that Indy does well,” said Coach Mike Tomlin of Elliott. “He is a central figure in our secondary in terms of run defense for example. He covers tight ends in passing circumstances, so certainly we have some adapting to do in terms of how we divide the labor up this week.
“But that’s always the case when you lose someone, particularly someone significant. It’s not a one-person job. It’s a multiple-person job. That’s the spirit in which we’re planning. There will be several people given an opportunity to meet the demands of what he does for us.”
Jalen Ramsey will play at free safety today and take charge of communication within the secondary unit. “We moved Jalen Ramsey exclusively to safety this week,” said Coach Mike Tomlin in an interview for Steelers.com. “Jalen’s played outside corner, he has played nickel corner. He’s played safety. Given the circumstances we felt it was prudent to lock him down specifically at free safety. He’ll be a constant. A hub of communication to assist those potential candidates in process and playing.”
The Steelers recently acquired safety Kyle Dugger from the New England Patriots via trade, and he may see action despite joining the team only last Thursday. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said, “We’ll try to do the best we can to get him ready to be available for us in some capacity.” Dugger has played six seasons in the NFL with 81 appearances and 69 starts, recording 412 tackles, nine interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown). Dugger expressed his enthusiasm about joining Pittsburgh: “I was excited to get the opportunity to play ball with this team,” he said.
Dugger added that his main focus is supporting his new teammates: “Help the defense out,” said Dugger of what he was told his job is from the coaches. “That was the main topic. Whatever I can do, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Linebacker Malik Harrison has been activated from the Reserve/Injured List after recovering from a knee injury sustained during Week 1 against the New York Jets. Harrison began practicing again on October 13 and has now been added back onto Pittsburgh’s 53-man roster.
“I feel good, feel back normal,” said Harrison about his recovery process. “It doesn’t hurt any more. Just ready to get back out there.
“I’m happy to be out there. I feel better.”
Harrison discussed regaining confidence following his injury: “I had to build my confidence back up,” said Harrison. “I think when I first was running, I wasn’t that confident. But once I got back out there and playing football, I got confident.” Harrison joined Pittsburgh as a free agent this year after spending five seasons with Baltimore.
Harrison brings experience both on defense and special teams: “I’ve been in the league for six years, so I’ve got a lot of experience, on the special teams side especially,” said Harrison. “Even in the meeting rooms this whole time I’ve been out, I’ve been giving advice to guys, especially talking to the young guys, telling them what I see and things like that.”
Running backs Lew Nichols and Trey Sermon have been elevated from Pittsburgh’s practice squad for today’s game but will return afterward. Nichols joined during training camp after being drafted by Green Bay in 2023; Sermon signed following rookie minicamp tryouts earlier this year and previously played with Indianapolis.
The full list of inactive players for both teams is as follows:
Steelers Inactives:
– No. 13 WR Scotty Miller
– No. 21 S Chuck Clark
– No. 40 S Jabrill Peppers
– No. 55 LB Cole Holcomb
– No. 71 G Andrus Peat
– No. 91 DL Logan Lee
Colts Inactives:
– No. 6 WR Anthony Gould
– No. 21 RB DJ Giddens
– No. 36 S Reuben Lowery
– No. 52 DE Samson Ebukam
– No. 67 T Luke Tenuta
– No. 86 TE Will Mallory
– No. 94 DE Tyquan Lewis
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