Predicting the Steelers’ Week 5 inactive list vs. the Ravens

The Steelers got their first win of the 2019 season last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, and now they look to improve their record in the AFC North as they host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Neither team has achieved a victory against a team that has won a game in 2019, so much like the Ravens game last week against the Browns, something will have to give. The Steelers defense put up a dominating performance with eight sacks and only 175 total yards. They will look to continue to improve as they take on the league-leading rushing attack.

Game Status

Out:
FB Roosevelt Nix (knee)
OLB Anthony Chickillo (foot)

Questionable:
ILB Vince Williams (hamstring)
TE Vance McDonald (shoulder)
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (toe)

Here are the possibilities to end up inactive for Week 5:

Definitely:

FB Roosevelt Nix- he may be an afterthought until after the bye. At this point, the Steelers should have considered putting him on Injured Reserve after Week 1.

OLB Anthony Chickillo- I’m starting to wonder if his presence is even needed. Ola Adeniyi and Jayrone Elliott I have taken on Chickillo’s snaps and each one of them had a tackle in Week 4.

Most Likely:

DT Isaiah Buggs- it’s a red shirt season for Buggs. But I would not be surprised if he gets at least one game due to someone on the defensive line being banged up.

G Fred Johnson- he’s got to take the same approach as Zach Banner who was in the same position last year. Now Banner is getting a helmet and logging snaps.

OT Chukwuma Okorafor- not dressing in 2019, it’s not an encouraging sign for the third-round selection in the 2018 draft.

Possibly:

TE Vance McDonald- he made it back to practice on Friday and the tight end set with Nick Vannett would be a much-welcomed sight. But it’s hard to say if McDonald’s is really up to playing or not.

WR JuJu Smith-Schuster- it was very strange that he was listed as a full participant yet he told reporters he barely did anything in practice due to his sore toe. It’s not looking good for JuJu, but if there’s anyway he can play through it the Steelers could really use him this week.

WR Donte Moncrief- he was on the field for three snaps in Week 4, but I don’t know if anyone remembers it. With his presence costing the Steelers a third-round compensatory pick, his days in black and gold should be numbered.

CB Justin Layne- he got a helmet the last two weeks because players were injured, but he didn’t even get a special team snap in Week 4.

Unlikely:

ILB Vince Williams- yes, he’s listed as questionable, but he was a full participant at practice all week so I’d be surprised if he does not play.

OLB Jayrone Elliott- I don’t see anyway he is inactive as long as Chickillo is out. Elliott just needs to make the most of this opportunity.

Projected Inactive List:

1. Roosevelt Nix
2. Anthony Chickillo
3. Isaiah Buggs
4. Fred Johnson
5. Chuks Okorafor
6. Justin Layne
7. Donte Moncrief

The decision this week came down to the final two spots depending on players listed as questionable. While Smith-Schuster may be the most likely to not suit up. I think if there’s any chance he could go at least in a reduced role that he would be better served for the Steelers than Donte Moncrief. But if either JuJu or McDonald are out, look for Moncrief to slide back in. Layne goes back on the inactive list because of the return of Vince Williams.

As always, feel free to list your projected inactives in the comments below.