Despite activation off IR, Zach Banner not in uniform for Steelers vs. Seahawks

Zach Banner’s season debut will have to wait at least another two weeks.

Banner was activated off injured reserve Saturday but is not in uniform for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The offensive tackle was one of five inactives announced prior to the Sunday night kickoff against the Seattle Seahawks.

After winning the right tackle job during the 2020 training camp to become a starter for the first time in his four-year NFL career, Banner suffered a torn ACL in last year’s season opener at the New York Giants. His rehab was delayed after he made a brief appearance during the Steelers’ third preseason game, and Banner began the regular season on IR.

Banner returned to practice Sept. 29 and by rule needed to be added to the active roster by Oct. 20 or be lost for the season. That Banner is not playing against Seattle suggests the only reason he was activated Saturday was that there was an available roster spot following receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster’s season-ending shoulder surgery Wednesday.

The Steelers have been mum on their plans for Banner. He could re-claim his starting job immediately or revert back to his former “eligible” extra tight end role he served in 2019. And if Banner does ultimately return to right tackle, would Chuks Okorafor shift back to the left side? That would bench rookie Dan Moore Jr.

Healthy scratches for the Steelers on Sunday were No. 3 quarterback Dwayne Haskins, cornerback Ahkello Witherspon and rookie linebacker Buddy Johnson.

The Steelers on Friday announced that reserve defensive lineman Carlos Davis would miss his fifth consecutive game Sunday. Davis has a knee injury.

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