Projecting Steelers Inactives for Week 2 vs. Patriots

Aug 19, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) reacts with teammates after Porter intercepted a Buffalo Bills pass during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Projecting Steelers Inactives for Week 2 vs. Patriots

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jobe Morrison | Last updated Sep 19, 2026 12:00 PM ET

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The Pittsburgh Steelers will look to move to 2-0 for the first time since 2024 when they travel to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots. New England will certainly want to avoid a crushing 0-2 start. Neither team delivered a stellar Week 1 performance, but the Steelers escaped with a win over the Atlanta Falcons, who were down to their third-string quarterback.

The Patriots faced Seattle in a Super Bowl rematch and controlled the game for three quarters. However, a big fourth quarter from the Seahawks turned the game around, ending with a costly Drake Maye interception. Though it is still early in the season, teams that start 0-2 historically have a difficult time making the playoffs.

Pittsburgh is already off to a favorable start, and a 2-0 record could set the team up for a much-needed strong start to the season. However, the Steelers could be without several key players. With only 48 game-day roster spots available, here is the projected list of Steelers inactives ahead of Week 2:

Projected Steelers Week 2 Game-Day Inactives

CB Joey Porter Jr.
QB Drew Allar
QB Will Howard (3rd QB)
OL Gennings Dunker
DL Kevin Jobity Jr.

Other Possibilities: Michael Pittman Jr., Gabriel Rubio

Porter was ruled out late in the week, leaving his immediate future truly up in the air. It remains unclear what the Steelers will do with him next. Their options are limited considering he has remained around the team and participated in practice. If his reported “back injury” persists, the Steelers could potentially place him on short-term injured reserve. If he is healthy enough to play but remains unavailable, that could add another layer to an already complicated situation.

Dunker was inactive in Week 1 and will likely have the same fate as he continues to develop. Assuming Pittman is available, the final defensive line spot will likely come down to Rubio or Jobity. In this scenario, Jobity is the more likely inactive, as Rubio could be deployed to help bolster the run defense.

Aug 27, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) passes the ball under pressure from Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Kevin Jobity (92) during the fourth quarter at New Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

The quarterback situation has not changed. Allar will remain the fourth quarterback, while Howard will serve as the emergency third quarterback.

The key element in this inactives projection will be Pittman’s availability. If he is inactive, the Steelers could elevate a player from the practice squad, potentially making both Rubio and Jobity inactive. Pittsburgh could also be comfortable carrying only five defensive linemen if Pittman misses the game, which would allow Jobity to remain active by default.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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