Steelers Rule Out Six Players against Buffalo Bills

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Steelers will take the field for their playoff clash against the Buffalo Bills after it was delayed due to a winter storm in the area. For the Steelers, they named their seven inactives for the game. T.J. Watt will not play after suffering a grade two MCL sprain against the Baltimore Ravens. That will force Markus Golden and Nick Herbig into the spotlight to start.

As for the rest of the players who will not play, tackle Dylan Cook remains inactive. He has only been active in one game this season. Mitch Trubisky will serve as the third-string quarterback in an emergency capacity. He will be dressed but not allowed to play unless Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett get injured.

Linebacker Blake Martinez is inactive. He remains inactive as the team elevates Myles Jack into a significant role, and Mykal Walker and Mark Robinson offer other skills or special teams the ability to fill that gap. Defensive end DeMarvin Leal remains on the sideline, as Armon Watts and Isaiahh Loudermilk have taken over any snaps he would have received throughout the season. Rookie cornerback Darius Rush remains inactive, with the secondary fully healthy.

The surprise of the game is that Elijah Riley will not play. Riley is a key special teamer, but with Eric Rowe and Jack being elevated, the team had to put seven players on the inactive list, and he did not have a clear path to playing a role with the safeties fully healthy.

The Bills will be without wide receiver Gabe Davis, linebacker Tyrel Dodson, and safety Taylor Rapp. Cornerback Rasul Douglas was questionable with a knee injury, but he has been ruled out against the Steelers in a massive game. The team elevated linebacker A.J. Klein and wide receiver Andy Isabella from the practice squad.