Projecting Steelers Inactives for Week 3 vs. Bengals

Aug 13, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers guard Gennings Dunker (73) on the sidelines against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Projecting Steelers Inactives for Week 3 vs. Bengals

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jobe Morrison | Last updated Sep 26, 2026 2:00 PM ET

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The Pittsburgh Steelers will aim to improve to 2-1 when they host the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. Cincinnati remains undefeated and is quickly emerging as a tougher team after its offseason defensive investments appear to be paying off. The Steelers typically face a tough battle against the Bengals because of Cincinnati’s offense, but they will now have to contend with a formidable defense as well.

It doesn’t help that the Steelers’ offense has struggled in a major way. Drops downfield, missed blocks, miscommunications and turnovers have plagued the unit, which has yet to show much consistency. The Bengals’ defense isn’t likely to give the Steelers much room to find their footing, either.

The Steelers enter this matchup as home underdogs, and if Cincinnati dominates them, Pittsburgh could find itself at 1-3 after next Thursday night’s game in Cleveland. As it stands, getting to 2-2 through the first four games could suddenly look like a significant accomplishment. Pittsburgh will have only 48 active roster spots available in Week 3.

Here is a projection of the Steelers’ inactives for Sunday:

Projected Steelers Week 3 Game-Day Inactives

RB Rico Dowdle
OL Gennings Dunker
QB Will Howard (3rd QB)
QB Drew Allar
DL Gabriel Rubio
DL Kevin Jobity Jr.

Other Possibilities: Michael Pittman Jr., Joey Porter Jr.

Porter could ultimately be swapped out for Jobity. Jobity has a more developed pass-rush arsenal than Rubio, which could give him the edge in that scenario. However, Porter’s official designation of NIR/conditioning on the injury report makes it increasingly clear that the Steelers expect him to play.

If Porter is healthy, as the removal of his back injury designation indicates, it is reasonable to assume he has a good chance of playing Sunday.

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

Nothing has changed at quarterback, although the number of quarterback injuries around the league could create an opportunity for Howard to be moved. At minimum, he could become active on game days as QB2.

Dunker and Dowdle were the only Steelers ruled out on Friday’s injury report. It remains unclear how long their injuries will keep them sidelined. For now, Dunker will essentially continue to be inactive on Sundays.

Dowdle’s absence, however, means another running back will need to be elevated from the practice squad. That leaves Jobity and Dunker as the two defensive and offensive line inactives in this projection.

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

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