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John Malecki activated from practice squad, indicating Maurkice Pouncey's status will be game-time decision

Pittsburgh product will dress for his first professional game, indicating the Steelers may dress eight offensive linemen for the first time this season

Streeter Lecka

University of Pittsburgh turned Steelers offensive linemen John Malecki was activated from the practice squad Saturday in wake of the Steelers Sunday Night Football game against Cincinnati.

Will he dress?

It really seems to depend on whether center Maurkice Pouncey will play, and Malecki making the trip to Cincinnati suggests, on Saturday, they aren't sure. In other words, Pouncey is definitely not a certainty to play.

To make room for Malecki, the Steelers released defensive lineman Corbin Bryant just a few days after they signed him. Since right tackle Marcus Gilbert is out Sunday, back up Mike Adams will start, pulling rookie Kelvin Beachum into likely activation status.

Bryant was signed in wake of the two-game suspension of DL Alameda Ta'amu.

If Pouncey cannot play, Malecki, an interior lineman, would back up the guards.

Who would play center in the event Pouncey can't play and Doug Legursky gets hurt? No clue.

Any guesses? Seems like a viable topic, considering the amount of injuries the Steelers offensive line has suffered over the last 22 game weeks.