Updating the Pittsburgh Steelers depth chart heading into the San Francisco 49ers game

As the Pittsburgh Steelers enjoy an extended break after playing on Thursday night, the San Francisco 49ers are now facing a short week after playing on Monday Night Football and having to travel across country for the Week 2 game at Heinz Field.

The Steelers continue their preparation for the 49ers and their depth chart has been updated to show what fans might see when the team takes the field this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EST. See what changes were made, who was promoted, who was demoted and who might continue to be inactive on a weekly basis.

* - Denotes a player who was inactive vs. the Patriots in Week 1

Offense:

Running Back/Full Back:
RB - DeAngelo Williams / Dri Archer / Jordan Todman
FB - Will Johnson / Roosevelt Nix

Wide Receiver:
WR1 - Antonio Brown / Sammie Coates *
WR2 - Markus Wheaton / Darrius Heyward-Bey / Tyler Murphy

Tight End:
TE - Heath Miller / Matt Spaeth / Jesse James *

Quarterback:
QB - Ben Roethlisberger / Michael Vick / Landry Jones *

Offensive Line:
RT - Marcus Gilbert / Alejandro Villanueva
RG - David DeCastro / Doug Legursky / Chris Hubbard *
C - Cody Wallace / Doug Legursky / Chris Hubbard *
LG - Ramon Foster / Doug Legursky / Chris Hubbard *
LT - Kelvin Beachum / Alejandro Villanueva

On offense, there weren't any changes from their depth chart following the Week 1 game vs. the Patriots, but there was a surprise in who got a helmet on Thursday night and who didn't. The Steelers elected to activate Tyler Murphy over Sammie Coates on Thursday and, according to Mike Tomlin at his weekly press conference, the reason was simple "versatility". Murphy can play a multitude of positions, including quarterback if need be, which has proven to be the difference-maker in selecting the undrafted rookie to play over the third-round draft choice.

Defense:

Cornerback/Safety:
LCB - William Gay / Brandon Boykin
RCB - Cortez Allen or Antwon Blake / Ross Crockell *
SS - Will Allen / Shamarko Thomas / Ross Ventrone
FS - Mike Mitchell / Robert Golden

Linebacker:
LOLB - Arthur Moats / Bud Dupree
ROLB - Jarvis Jones / James Harrison
LILB - Ryan Shazier / Sean Spence / Terence Garvin
RILB - Lawrence Timmons / Vince Williams

Defensive Line:
RDE - Stephon Tuitt / L.T. Walton *
NT - Steve McLendon / Daniel McCullers
LDE - Cameron Heyward / Cam Thomas / Caushaud Lyons *

The defense saw the most changes, and rightfully so, after the team's performance on Thursday night. Will Allen has officially been placed as the starting Strong Safety with Shamarko Thomas being the second-string Strong Safety. Other than Allen being named the official starter, Cortez Allen and/or Antwon Blake will be the starting cornerback opposite of William Gay.

The biggest question mark was Brandon Boykin following the Steelers' game against the Patriots. Tomlin stated in his press conference that the Steelers simply "chose to play other players" over Boykin. Boykin is now the No. 4 defensive back on the team and will likely see more playing time vs. the 49ers on Sunday.

Special Teams:

Returners:
KR - Dri Archer / Markus Wheaton
PR - Antonio Brown / Dri Archer / Markus Wheaton

Specialists:
K - Josh Scobee
P - Jordan Berry
LS - Greg Warren

No real surprises on the team's depth chart, including the updates on the defensive side of the football. The team continues to search for the right mix of players to achieve success and, in front of the home crowd this Sunday, the Steelers will want to prove to their fans that Thursday night was just a small bump in the road as they continue to march towards their next Lombardi trophy.