Pittsburgh Steelers: Inactive players revealed for Week 16 AFC North clash against Cincinnati Bengals

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set for a pivotal AFC North clash against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday afternoon. 

Pittsburgh (7-7) will take their playoff hopes to Cincinnati (8-6), where they’ll start Mason Rudolph at quarterback. Will there be a Christmas miracle for the Steelers, or will Jake Browning play the role of Pittsburgh’s Grinch on Saturday? Either way, it’s bound to be entertaining.

Prior to the game, the Steelers have revealed their inactive players for Week 16. Check them out below.

Pittsburgh Steelers — Inactive players for Week 16:

• No. 8 QB Kenny Pickett
• No. 17 S Trenton Thompson
• No. 21 CB Darius Rush
• No. 39 S Minkah Fitzpatrick
• No. 40 LB Blake Martinez
• No. 60 T Dylan Cook
• No. 98 DE DeMarvin Leal

Cincinnati Bengals — Inactive players for Week 16:

• No. 1 WR Ja’Marr Chase
• No. 25 RB Chris Evans
• No. 56 LB Devin Harper
• No. 63 C Trey Hill
• No. 70 OT D’Ante Smith
• No. 81 TE Irv Smith
• No. 90 DT Travis Bell

Alas, we’ll see if the Steelers can overcome these athletes not being able to suit up on Saturday. The game has gigantic playoff implications for both teams, and only one of the AFC North rivals can leave victorious.

Ja’Marr Chase ruled out for Saturday’s Bengals-Steelers game

At the least, the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t have to worry about Ja’Marr Chase during Saturday’s clash.

While the Cincinnati Bengals have been able to stay alive in the AFC playoff race despite losing star quarterback Joe Burrow for the season, they’re are going to have to pick up the win against the Steelers without another one up their offensive superstars.

According to Cincinnati beat reporter Kelsey Conway, wide receiver Chase will not play in the Bengals’ next contest on Saturday afternoon.

“Zac Taylor rules out Ja’Marr Chase to play vs. the Steelers on Saturday,” said Conway via X.

Regardless on their injuries, the Bengals are third in the AFC North with an 8-6 record, and Pittsburgh is just behind them at 7-7. If the playoffs were to start today, Cincinnati would be in as the sixth seed in the conference.

The significance of this game for Cincinnati’s playoff aspirations cannot be understated. According to NFL.com’s playoff probability predictor, if the Bengals beat the Steelers, their chances of making the playoffs climb to 65 percent from 45. However, should they lose, their playoff chances take a significant drop, falling to 20 percent.

There’ll be no love regardless between these two fierce division rivals. The one thing they would love more than making the playoffs is ending the dream for the other. It’s a double whammy of sorts.

One team will get to enjoy their victory all over the next week, Christmas included. We’ll be tuned in to see which one it is.