bv. Steelers Inactives for Week 9 vs Colts – Veteran Safety Ruled Out After Sunday Morning Accident

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered Sunday’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts with multiple key players sidelined due to injuries and illness.

Safety Jabrill Peppers and wide receiver Scotty Miller were declared inactive after being ruled out Friday. LinebackerCole Holcomb and defensive lineman Logan Lee were later scratched on Saturday due to illness, while several other depth players were rotated out for Week 9.

The defensive secondary — already thin following DeShon Elliott’s knee injury last week — suffered another unexpected blow on Sunday morning, just hours before kickoff. Reports surfaced that one of Pittsburgh’s veteran safeties had been involved in aminor car accident while driving to the stadium and would be unable to play.

That player was Chuck Clark, who sustained a leg injury in the incident and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Early assessments indicate that the injury is not serious, but the team ruled him out of the game for precautionary reasons.

Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the situation before the game, visibly concerned for his player’s well-being:

“Our focus right now isn’t football — it’s making sure he’s okay,” Tomlin said. “He’s one of the guys who gives everything for this team. We just want him healthy and back on his feet soon.”

Clark had been expected to take on an expanded role this week following Elliott’s move to injured reserve. His absence forced adjustments in the secondary, with Jalen Ramsey shifting to free safety responsibilities and newly acquiredKyle Dugger preparing to rotate in.

The Steelers also activated linebacker Malik Harrison from the Reserve/Injured list and elevated running backs Lew Nichols and Trey Sermon from the practice squad for depth.

Tomlin added that the team’s mindset remains unchanged despite the challenges:

“That’s football,” he said. “It’s always next man up. We adapt, we stay together, and we compete. That’s the standard here.”

Clark remains under observation and is expected to be discharged from the hospital within the next few days. The team will reevaluate his availability ahead of Week 10.

Steelers Inactives:
WR Scotty Miller
S Chuck Clark
S Jabrill Peppers
LB Cole Holcomb
DL Logan Lee
G Andrus Peat

Colts Inactives:
WR Anthony Gould
RB DJ Giddens
S Reuben Lowery
DE Samson Ebukam
T Luke Tenuta
TE Will Mallory
DE Tyquan Lewis