Steelers Projected Inactives for Week 6 at Buccaneers

Sep 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (15) celebrates after a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Steelers Projected Inactives for Week 6 at Buccaneers

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jobe Morrison | Last updated Oct 17, 2026 9:00 AM ET

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The Pittsburgh Steelers head to Tampa Bay in Week 6 to face a Buccaneers team looking to build on its recent success. Pittsburgh also needs to string together wins, as the Steelers have alternated wins and losses since opening the season with a victory. However, they face a few personnel challenges heading into Sunday’s matchup in Florida.

The Steelers will likely be shorthanded at wide receiver and could also face questions in the secondary. Neither situation may improve until after the team’s bye week, leaving Pittsburgh with some difficult decisions as it prepares to take on Tampa Bay. The Steelers will look to overcome those challenges and improve to 4-2 on the season.

Here is a projection of the Steelers’ Week 6 inactive list against the Buccaneers.

Steelers Projected Inactives

QB Drew Allar
QB Will Howard (third quarterback)
WR Roman Wilson
WR Ben Skowronek
CB Jamel Dean
DT Kevin Jobity Jr.

Other possibilities: CB Terel Smith, RB Eli Heidenreich

The Steelers’ biggest concern entering Week 6 is their lack of depth at wide receiver. With Wilson and Skowronek projected to sit out, Pittsburgh could have fewer reliable options available to complement its primary targets.

That will put additional pressure on the remaining receivers to produce and make it even more important for Aaron Rodgers to distribute the ball efficiently. Pittsburgh may need to lean more heavily on its running game and tight ends to keep the offense balanced.

September 20, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jamel Dean (35) warms up before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Dean’s projected absence could also complicate Pittsburgh’s defensive plans, particularly against Tampa Bay’s elusive quarterback. If Dean cannot play, the Steelers may need additional contributions from their remaining cornerbacks, with Smith another potential inactive-list decision.

Jobity rounds out the projection, while Allar and Howard would occupy the quarterback spots on the inactive list. Ultimately, Pittsburgh’s final decisions will depend on player availability and the team’s preferred game-day personnel, but the potential absences at receiver and cornerback stand out as the most significant concerns.

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

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