The Steelers go into today's game against the Indianapolis Colts missing multiple players.
Safety Jabrill Peppers and receiver Scotty Miller are inactive after they were ruled out on Friday. In addition, safety Chuck Clark and linebacker Cole Holcomb were both ruled out on Saturday due to an illness and are inactive.
Peppers was one of the players expected to step in this week after safety DeShon Elliott suffered a hyperextended knee against the Green Bay Packers and then placed on the Reserve/Injured List on Friday.
"He's a significant component of what we do, particularly relative to some of the things that Indy does well," said Coach Mike Tomlin of Elliott. "He is a central figure in our secondary in terms of run defense for example. He covers tight ends in passing circumstances, so certainly we have some adapting to do in terms of how we divide the labor up this week.
"But that's always the case when you lose someone, particularly someone significant. It's not a one-person job. It's a multiple-person job. That's the spirit in which we're planning. There will be several people given an opportunity to meet the demands of what he does for us."
Jalen Ramsey, who has worked in multiple positions this season, will lineup at free safety today, while serving as the hub of communication for the secondary.
"We moved Jalen Ramsey exclusively to safety this week," said Coach Mike Tomlin in an interview for Steelers.com. "Jalen's played outside corner, he has played nickel corner. He's played safety. Given the circumstances we felt it was prudent to lock him down specifically at free safety. He'll be a constant. A hub of communication to assist those potential candidates in process and playing."
The Steelers acquired safety Kyle Dugger in a trade with the New England Patriots, and he is one player with the potential of stepping in today.
Dugger hasn't had much time to learn the Steelers defense, arriving on Thursday, but said during the week he will be ready if called upon.
"We'll try to do the best we can to get him ready to be available for us in some capacity," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.
Dugger is in his sixth season in the NFL, and has appeared in 81 games, starting 69. He has 412 total tackles, 278 of them solo stops, 24 passes defensed, nine interceptions, with two of them returned for a touchdown, three and a half sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, including one returned for a touchdown.
"I was excited to get the opportunity to play ball with this team," said Dugger of being traded to the Steelers.
He said the message to him is he is here to help.
"Help the defense out," said Dugger of what he was told his job is from the coaches. "That was the main topic. Whatever I can do, that's what I'm going to do."
The Steelers activated linebacker Malik Harrison from the Reserve/Injured, Designated for Return List to the 53-man roster on Saturday.
Harrison returned to practice on Oct. 13, and the team had a 21-day window to either activate Harrison or he would have remained on the Reserve/Injured List for the remainder of the season.
Harrison was placed on the Reserve/Injured List with a knee injury following the Steelers Week 1 game against the New York Jets.
"I feel good, feel back normal," said Harrison. "It doesn't hurt any more. Just ready to get back out there.
"I'm happy to be out there. I feel better."
Harrison said it took some time from the point of the injury until now to get everything back rolling, including confidence in making all the moves with his knee.
"I had to build my confidence back up," said Harrison. "I think when I first was running, I wasn't that confident. But once I got back out there and playing football, I got confident."
Harrison was signed to a two-year contract at the start of free agency this year. Harrison was originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the 98th overall pick and has spent the last five seasons with the Ravens.
Harrison has appeared in 77 career games, with 35 starts. He has 144 career tackles, 78 of them solo stops, and seven tackles for a loss. He also has two sacks, four quarterback hurries, and one pass defensed. In addition, he has 30 special teams tackles, including 17 solo stops.
"I've been in the league for six years, so I've got a lot of experience, on the special teams side especially," said Harrison. "Even in the meeting rooms this whole time I've been out, I've been giving advice to guys, especially talking to the young guys, telling them what I see and things like that."
The Steelers elevated running backs Lew Nichols and Trey Sermon from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive Roster for today's game. They will revert back to the practice squad after the game.
Nichols signed with the Steelers during training camp in 2025. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, spending most of the season on the Reserve/Injured List. He has since spent time on the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad.
Sermon was signed following a tryout during the Steelers rookie minicamp this year, but brought experience with him. He was also elevated for the Patriots and Vikings games. He has appeared in 44 games, starting five, over four seasons. He carried the ball 134 times for 505 yards and three touchdowns. He spent the last two years with the Indianapolis Colts, appearing in 31 games, with three starts. He had 91 carries for 319 yards and two touchdowns.
The full list of inactives is below.
Steelers Inactives
No. 13 WR Scotty Miller
No. 21 S Chuck Clark
No. 40 S Jabrill Peppers
No. 55 LB Cole Holcomb
No. 71 G Andrus Peat
No. 91 DL Logan Lee
Colts Inactives
No. 6 WR Anthony Gould
No. 21 RB DJ Giddens
No. 36 S Reuben Lowery
No. 52 DE Samson Ebukam
No. 67 T Luke Tenuta
No. 86 TE Will Mallory
No. 94 DE Tyquan Lewis
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