Minkah Fitzpatrick out, Elandon Roberts played, Kenny Pickett QB2 for Steelers vs. Ravens

BALTIMORE — Saturday made for a third consecutive game for the Pittsburgh Steelers without their top four on the safety depth chart.

Pro Bowler Minkah Fitzpatrick and Trenton Thompson were among the listed inactives announced prior to Saturday’s regular-season finale at the Baltimore Ravens. Each missed a third straight game after suffering injuries — Fitzpatrick a knee, Thompson his neck — during the Dec. 16 loss in Indianapolis.

Fitzpatrick and Thompson each were listed as questionable to play on the league-mandated status report released Thursday. With co-starters Damontae Kazee (suspension) and Keanu Neal (injured reserve) still out, that left the Steelers to again start converted cornerback Patrick Peterson and veteran practice-squad elevation Eric Rowe at safety for a third game in a row.

Rowe led the Steelers with 12 total tackles and 10 solo tackles and had a forced fumble.

“I can’t say enough about Eric Rowe on another elevation,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “Made a significant play on that punch-out.”

Pickett No. 2

Kenny Pickett on Saturday for the first time since Oct. 2, 2022, was in uniform for a game but not starting. Pickett served as Mason Rudolph’s backup against the Ravens, with Mitch Trubisky relegated to the “emergency” third-string role for the first time with the Steelers.

Roberts plays

As he told media Thursday, starting inside linebacker Elandon Roberts returned to the gameday lineup after a one-game absence because of a pectoral injury. Though that meant veteran Myles Jack — a practice-squad elevation for the third consecutive game — returned to a reserve role, Jack still was on the field plenty against the Ravens.

Roberts had one tackle and Jack three.

”I am so appreciative of that inside linebacker room coming together on a moving train and not making excuses,” Roberts said.

Leal again inactive

For the fourth time over the past five games, defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal was a healthy scratch again for the Steelers. They also designated as inactive cornerback Darius Rush, inside linebacker Blake Martinez and offensive tackle Dylan Cook.

With the AFC’s No. 1 seed wrapped up, the Ravens sat several veteran starters, including MVP candidate quarterback Lamar Jackson. Also scratched for Baltimore were receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, safety Kyle Hamilton, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, guard Kevin Zeitler and linebacker Malik Harrison.

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