Unlike the last time the Pittsburgh Steelers played a game, they will have several decisions to make Monday night when deciding seven inactive players.
For the first time in a while, the Steelers will take a relatively healthy roster into their game at Heinz Field against the Miami Dolphins. Only three players are listed as questionable on the injury report released Saturday afternoon.
Contrast that to when the Steelers played at the Los Angeles Chargers two weeks ago. They had ruled out six players from participating before the team’s charter flight left Pittsburgh.
Those players — quarterback Mason Rudolph, wide receiver James Washington, running backs Jaylen Samuels and Roosevelt Nix, cornerback Steve Nelson and inside linebacker Mark Barron — returned to practice after the bye week. Samuels (knee), Barron (hamstring) and rookie inside linebacker Ulysees Gilbert (back) each are listed as questionable. All other players on the 53-man roster are healthy heading into the game.
Gilbert was an addition to the injury report Saturday when he was a limited participant because of a back injury. He was the only player not to be a full practice participant.
Three weeks after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, Samuels said he is “close” to being 100%. He was a full practice participant for all three days this week.
That’s a quick turnaround for a player who initially thought he might miss several games because of the injury he sustained Oct. 6 against the Baltimore Ravens.
“I’d never been scoped before, I didn’t even know what that was,” Samuels said Saturday. “They told me I could miss a month, but I knew my body was a fast healer and if I pushed myself hard with recovery, I could be back sooner.”
Rookie defensive end Isaiah Buggs was inactive for the first six games, and he was the only healthy scratch against the Chargers. But after Stephon Tuitt’s season-ending pectoral injury, Buggs could be on the field against the Dolphins.
“I haven’t been told anything yet,” Buggs said. “I don’t know anything, just that I have to be ready.”
Tyson Alualu will replace Tuitt and start with Cameron Heyward and Javon Hargrave in the base 3-4 defense. Daniel McCullers will be the top backup. The fifth player in the typical game-day rotation will be Buggs or veteran L.T. Walton, who was a free agent this fall until the Steelers signed him after Tuitt’s injury.
“It’s getting in and practicing hard and getting the reps I can,” Buggs said. “Coaches have done a good job of getting me prepared and ready.”
