The Steelers head into today’s game against the Baltimore Ravens without a few starters on defense due to injuries.
Safety Kyle Dugger is inactive due to a hand injury and defensive lineman Derrick Harmon is missing his second straight game with a knee injury. Both players are inactive.
Harmon’s absence will be felt going against a team like the Ravens with running back Derrick Henry and quarterback Lamar Jackson.
“We will just try to make sure that we set hard edges, knock people back, we get off the ball, we’re good in tackling and good with our eyes,” said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. “There is a litany of things that you have to do to play solid team defense.
“It’s not one person or one area that determines whether you have a great run defense. It’s team defense. So, we have to be really good and on our screws that way if we want to have success.
“The week before, we went up against the No. 2 rushing team, and we did a good job. We didn’t have success this past week, and so we get another opportunity at it. That’s the great thing about the NFL. You have opportunities each week to go back. You can wipe the slate clean, and you can get up off the mat if you get knocked down and you have a chance to get back in the ring and win, and so that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to try to do that.”
The receiver position will have a different look today. Adam Thielen was claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings earlier this week and is active.
“He’s a been there, done it guy,” said Coach Mike Tomlin in an interview with Bob Labriola for Steelers.com. “His body of work speaks for itself.”
Fellow receiver Roman Wilson is inactive today.
The Steelers elevated receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive Roster for today’s game as well.
Valdes-Scantling, who was signed to the practice squad on Nov. 4, was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the 174th overall selection.
Valdes-Scantling was most recently with the San Francisco 49ers, signing with their practice squad prior to the start of the 2025 season. He appeared in five games for the 49ers, with four receptions for 40 yards. He was eventually placed on the Reserve/Injured List.
In eight seasons he has appeared in 111 games with the Packers (2018-21), Kansas City Chiefs (2022-23), Buffalo Bills (2024), New Orleans Saints (2024) and San Francisco 49ers (2025). He has 209 receptions for 3,606 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also has 10 carries for 52 yards.
The offensive line is also dealing with injuries impacting today’s game. Tackle Broderick Jones is on the Reserve/Injured List and Calvin Anderson is inactive due to a knee injury.
Andrus Peat will start his second game of the season at left tackle, also starting last week against the Bills.
Peat, who signed with the Steelers during training camp, said he is always prepared for whatever comes his way.
“I always try to stay ready for any situation, but it’s a great opportunity and I’m excited for it,” said Peat. “It’s been great. I’ve definitely enjoyed my time here. It’s a great locker room and great coaching staff.”
This stretch is the first time Peat has started at left tackle since 2023 with the New Orleans Saints, but he has settled right in.
“It takes a little to get adjusted, but I mean it’s definitely coming back to me,” said Peat. “Felt a little rusty, but as the game went on, I started to settle in.”
The team also elevated offensive tackle Dylan Cook from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive Roster.
Cook spent part of the 2024 season on the Steelers Reserve/Injured List and the team’s practice squad. He was signed to a Reserve/Future contract following the 2024 season
Cook spent the 2023 season on the 53-man roster, but didn’t see any game action. Cook entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following the 2022 NFL Draft.
He spent the 2022 season on Tampa’s practice squad. He played college football at Montana where he appeared in 27 games, starting 23 of them, and was a two-time Academic All-Big Sky selection.
The full list of inactives is below.
