Steelers inactives for Week 8 vs. Giants

The Steelers go into tonight’s game against the New York Giants with three players inactive after being ruled out for the game with injuries, including center Zach Frazier, linebacker Nick Herbig and running back/returner Cordarrelle Patterson.

Quarterback Justin Fields is the third quarterback tonight.

With Frazier out due to his ankle injury, it will once again be Ryan McCollum who gets the start at center for the second straight week.

The line has been the one area on the team hit the hardest by injuries this season, with five different starting lineup combinations through seven games.

If there is anywhere on the team the next man up mentality has been adopted, it’s on the line.

“It’s crazy when you think about it,” said tackle Dan Moore Jr. “I mean, how many guys we’ve had go down since camp. It’s really crazy. But it’s also even crazier to see young guys like Mason (McCormick), who weren’t necessarily thinking they were going to be starters, and they have stepped in and done a great job. And I think they’re getting better every single week.

“And me personally, just knowing Ryan, his background, I’ve got high expectations for him. Just the type of demeanor that he has, the way he approaches each and every day.

“Ryan’s also an older guy. This is his fourth year in the league. My expectation is for him to do that every single week because I know he can.

“We’ve just got to keep building off of it. And that’s leaders, myself and Isaac (Seumalo), just have to keep instilling confidence in him and making sure that he has what he needs.”

Seumalo himself missed the first four games of the regular season with a pectoral injury and has been extremely proud of the way the linemen have stepped up, something he said is instilled in the entire team.

“It starts with Coach (Mike) Tomlin,” said Seumalo. “He sets the tone for the team and the culture that he wants. It’s constantly repeating the same things because he wants us to have some permanence in our culture and what he says and he’s always saying, next man up.

“It’s an opportunity. I think guys, true professionals, know that regardless of circumstance or position, I need to be physically and mentally ready every single day because my name could get called at any time. I think a lot of these guys have taken that to heart and it’s been cool to see.”

The offensive line easily could have folded with the rash of injuries, but instead have done the opposite.

“It just shows you how deep our whole line is, how good they are and how much of a team we have right now for those guys to step up for the guys who are that hurt,” said running back Najee Harris, who has two straight 100-yard games behind the line. “Guys come in there and play, and these guys never thinking that they had a chance early on and the tables turn so fast, and they’re put in a position where they’ve got to help us win.

“These past two weeks showed how good our line is, and I think it’s a credit to them for the success that we’re having on the ground. I always say I tip my hat off to them, Coach Pat (Meyer) and everybody in the room for helping us all out.”

“And the standard is still the standard when you go out on the field.”

At the linebacker spot, having a healthy Alex Highsmith is a massive benefit for the defense with Herbig still sidelined. Highsmith returned against the Jets after missing three games with a groin injury.

“I definitely feel like I made it through well,” said Highsmith of the Jets game. “Definitely pretty sore for not playing for a few weeks. I feel really good. I was on more of a limited snap count this past week.

“I feel like I am getting really close to 100 percent. It feels great to be back out there, being with the guys. Looking forward to getting better every week. Just continue to rehab and stay on top of it so nothing else happens.”

The Steelers also made multiple roster moves on Monday, including signing running back Jonathan Ward to the active roster from the practice squad and elevating receiver Brandon Johnson from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive Roster from the practice squad, with receiver Roman Wilson also being placed on the Reserve/Injured List.

Ward originally signed with the Steelers after taking part in rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, getting signed afterwards. Ward was elevated for the Week 5 game against the Dallas Cowboys and Week 6 game against the Las Vegas Raiders and Week 7 game against the New York Jets. He had five carries for 22 yards in the three games.

In five seasons in the NFL, he has played in 46 games, carrying the ball 22 times for 91 yards, a 4.1-yard average. He also has six receptions for 52 yards, an 8.7-yard average, and one touchdown.

Ward originally signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent two plus seasons with the Cardinals, before joining the Tennessee Titans during the 2022 season. He also spent the 2023 season with the Titans.

Johnson, who will revert back to the practice squad following the game, originally signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft. He spent time on the practice squad and active roster over the last two seasons.

Johnson has played in 20 games, starting three, and has 25 receptions for 326 yards and five touchdowns. He played in 13 games in 2023, pulling in 19 receptions for 284 yards and four touchdowns. Johnson was also elevated for the Week 7 game against the New York Jets.

The full list of inactives is below.