Find out who won't play today as the Steelers take on the Browns at Huntington Bank Field, with key players like T.J. Watt sidelined and new additions stepping up due to injuries and suspensions.
The Steelers will be without several starters for their Week 17 game against the Cleveland Browns. Linebacker T.J. Watt is inactive for the third consecutive week due to a lung issue. Other inactive players include wide receiver Calvin Austin III, cornerbacks Brandin Echols and James Pierre, and guard Isaac Seumalo, primarily due to injuries.
With injuries impacting the cornerback position, the Steelers signed veteran Tre Flowers on Christmas Day. Flowers brings eight seasons of NFL experience, including 86 games played and 43 starts, with four interceptions and 270 tackles. He expressed his readiness to contribute and help the team win, despite the challenge of learning a new defensive scheme late in the season.
The absence of Calvin Austin III and the suspension of DK Metcalf mean other receivers will have a significant opportunity to step up. Ben Skowronek emphasized the importance of collective effort to win the game, while Scotty Miller, who saw action in a previous game, felt good making plays. Roman Wilson, who had been a healthy inactive, is also prepared for increased playing time, viewing his recent time off as a 'blessing' to reflect and improve.
To bolster the roster, the Steelers elevated offensive lineman Jack Driscoll and defensive back D'Shawn Jamison from the practice squad. Driscoll, drafted by the Eagles in 2020, has appeared in 67 NFL games. Jamison, originally an undrafted free agent, played 15 games for the Carolina Panthers in 2023 and has been with the Steelers' practice squad since the 2024 season.
The full list of inactive players for the Pittsburgh Steelers includes: QB Will Howard (3rd QB), WR Calvin Austin III, RB Kaleb Johnson, CB Brandin Echols, CB James Pierre, OG Isaac Seumalo, and LB T.J. Watt.
The full list of inactive players for the Cleveland Browns includes: QB Dillion Gabriel, Myles Harden, C Kendrick Green, T Jeremiah Byers, WR Jamari Thrash, TE David Njoku, and DT Sam Kamara.