The Steelers will be without two of their starters when they take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field today.
Both David DeCastro and Joe Haden are inactive for the game, neither of them practicing at all last week.
DeCastro suffered a broken hand against the Browns, and while he stayed in the game because as he said the adrenaline helped him play through it, the injury was more than he originally thought.
With DeCastro out it will be B.J. Finney who gets the start at right guard. Finney started last year against the Chiefs at left guard when Ramon Foster was injured and helped the ground game amass 194 yards, while protecting Roethlisberger who threw for 252 yards with just one sack.
"It's just another game," said Finney. "The preparation doesn't change. I have to prepare like I am that guy. I am the next guy in. Injuries unfortunately are part of the game and this is an unfortunate, random injury. For preparation for me, it's just another game."
Finney took plenty of first team reps in practice this week with DeCastro missing time, and it should pay off.
"That is always a huge help," said Finney. "I am getting first-hand reps of what we think we will be seeing, what we think their defense will be running. You can always sit back and take mental reps like I have been, but it's always much more helpful when you are getting the reps. Just to have that fluidity between guys helps."
With Haden out of the lineup, Cameron Sutton is among those who could step in and start. Sutton replaced Haden last week when he left the game with the hamstring injury.
"Cam came out there last week and they tested him, that's what the NFL does," said Sean Davis. "He lost his first battle but came back and won the second one. That is expected of him. That standard is the standard. I am confident in Cam Sutton.
"Cam has a real good skillset. I am glad he was able to show that as a rookie. He has continually been getting better. I feel like collectively as a group we are on the rise. He has prepared himself in the offseason for moments like this. He deserves to be out there."
Here is a complete list of the inactives for today's game:
Steelers Inactives
No. 2 QB Mason Rudolph
No. 11 WR Justin Hunter
No. 23 CB Joe Haden
No. 27 S Marcus Allen
No. 66 G David DeCastro
No. 72 OT Zach Banner
No. 94 DE Tyson Alualu
*Chiefs Inactives
*No. 29 DB Eric Berry
No. 31 RB Darrel Williams
No. 35 CB Charvarius Ward
No. 56 LB Ben Niemann
No. 62 C Austin Reiter
No. 66 G Kahlil McKenzie
No. 74 DT Justin Hamilton
