For the past few weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers roster has had two veteran inside linebackers who began the regular season in retirement. One has leapfrogged the other on the depth chart.
Myles Jack is in uniform making his 2023 season debut for Saturday’s home season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. A practice-squad elevation, Jack joins a decimated position group that’s cycled through candidates to play next to Elandon Roberts in the weeks since the season-ending injuries suffered by Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander.
One of those tried was eight-year veteran Blake Martinez, who this fall came out of retirement to join the Carolina Panthers practice squad. The Steelers signed him to their active roster last month, and he made his debut with the team during a Dec. 7 loss to the New England Patriots.
Apparently, Steelers coaches saw enough of Martinez in that game. He’s been inactive for the two games since.
Jack, meanwhile, retired during the preseason after spending training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles. On the Steelers’ practice squad his past month, Jack joins Mykal Walker and Mark Robinson as options to play with Roberts at inside linebacker.
The situation is similar at safety, where Elijah Riley and Eric Rowe suddenly figure to play major roles next to purported cornerback Patrick Peterson in the back of the Steelers secondary. Rowe, a 30-year-old nine-year NFL veteran, is in uniform making his Steelers debut. Riley was activated off the injured reserve list.
The Steelers are without their top four safeties Saturday — Minkah Fitzpatrick (inactive because of knee injury), Damontae Kazee (suspension), Keanu Neal (injured reserve) and Trenton Thompson (inactive because of a neck injury).
Healthy scratches for the Steelers against the Bengals are cornerback Darius Rush, offensive tackle Dylan Cook and defensive tackle DeMarvin Leal. Last season’s third-round pick, Leal is inactive for the second time in three weeks.
The Steelers announced Thursday that quarterback Kenny Pickett would miss a third consecutive game because of an ankle injury. Mason Rudolph is making his first start since November 2021.
No Chase for Bengals
Star receiver Ja’Marr Chase was not active for Saturday’s game because of a shoulder injury.
The Bengals listed running back Chris Evans, linebacker Devin Harper, center Trey Hill, offensive tackle D’Ante Smith, tight end Irv Smith and defensive tackle Travis Bell as healthy scratches.
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