Starting LG Isaac Seumalo in uniform for Steelers, but CB Asante Samuel Jr. is not

Starting left guard Isaac Seumalo was in uniform for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Sunday home game against the Cincinnati Bengals, returning from a one-game absence because of a pectoral injury.

Seumalo missed last week’s defeat at the Los Angeles Chargers and had left each of the Steelers’ prior two games during the second half because of the injury. He did not make it through a full practice throughout the week and had been given a questionable designation Friday in regards to his status for Sunday’s AFC North matchup.

Seumalo’s return allows Spencer Anderson to go back to focusing on his “Mr. Eligible” roll as a “jumbo” tight end. It also reverted veteran Andrus Peat back to being a gameday inactive. Peat and Anderson shared left guard duties against the Chargers.

No Samuel

The Steelers promoted a cornerback from their practice squad for the game against the pass-happy Bengals — but it was not the one some might have expected. D’Shawn Jamison was elevated to serve as a fourth cornerback to fill in because Darius Slay is out because of a concussion.

With Jalen Ramsey’s move to safety and Slay’s injury, the Steelers had only three healthy cornerbacks on their 53-man active roster — Joey Porter Jr., Brandin Echols and James Pierre. Echols has been taking on slot/nickel responsibilities and Pierre has been the replacement on the outside for Slay.

A veteran of 15 NFL regular-season games — all with the Carolina Panthers in 2023 — Jamison is backfilling at the position. He has been with the Steelers since January but this is his regular-season in-game debut.

The Steelers chose Jamison over Asante Samuel Jr., the fifth-year NFL veteran who was a four-year starter with the Chargers before a September 2024 injury necessitated spinal surgery. Samuel was signed Tuesday but likely needs more of a ramp-up to be game-ready.

Howard in uniform

For the first time as a pro, Will Howard on Sunday was in uniform for a game. The rookie sixth-round pick was designated as the No. 3 “emergency” quarterback four days after he was activated off of injured reserve.

The quarterback for the reigning college national champion Ohio State Buckeyes, Howard suffered a finger injury during training camp that prevented him from playing in the preseason and landed him on IR when the regular season began.

The Steelers on Sunday had a No. 3 QB available for the first time since Week 1.

Other inactives

In addition to Slay, starting outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (pectoral) and inside linebacker Cole Holcomb (illness) had already been ruled out for the Bengals game.

In addition to Peat, a pair of defensive linemen — Brodric Martin-Rhodes and Logan Lee — were healthy scratches for the Steelers.

Bengals scratched

The Bengals were without star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson (hip/pelvis) for a third time this season. He did not play in either game against the Steelers.

Also out because of injury for Cincinnati were backup running back Samaje Perine (ankle) and depth receiver Jermaine Burton (illness). Rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart (knee) was placed on IR on Saturday.

Cornerback Marco Wilson and tight end Cam Grandy were healthy scratches for the Bengals. Former Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford was designated as the No. 3 QB.

Defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey and running back Kendall Milton were elevated from the Bengals’ practice squad to the gameday roster against the Steelers.