Steelers inactive in Week 5 vs. Cowboys

The Steelers enter tonight's game against the Dallas Cowboys a few players behind after being ruled out of Friday's injury report and are inactive.

Offensively, the team will be missing running backs Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson as well as tight end MyCole Pruitt. On defense, linebacker Alex Highsmith will miss his second straight game.

With Warren and Patterson out, first-year running back Aaron Shampklin will back up Najee Harris.

The team promoted Shampklin from the practice squad to the active/inactive squad for the Colts game and then added him to the 53-man roster this week.

Shampklin saw his first NFL game action against the Colts with a carry for five yards, but he's preparing for whatever is asked of him this week.

“It felt good to finally be on the field,” Shampklin said. “I try to contribute to the team in some way. Definitely an exciting moment.”

“I managed the first game, but it's a long season. I really didn't make the impression I wanted. I'm trying to show that I deserve to be here.

Harris has confidence in Shampklin and knows the running game is in good hands.

“Shamp is a very smart player,” Harris said. “He’s also very physical for his size, just like Jaylen. We’re not shy or afraid of him going in there and running the ball or doing anything that any other guy would do.”

“Trust in him, trust in everyone in there. It's not a demotion of anyone. We are all excited about their chances. Shamp, this is his second NFL game, I’m happy for him.”

The team also elevated running back Jonathan Ward from the practice squad to the active/inactive squad for the game. Ward took part in the Steelers' rookie minicamp for a tryout, was subsequently signed and was part of the practice squad.

In four seasons in the NFL, he has played in 43 games, carrying the ball 17 times for 69 yards, an average of 4.1 yards. He also has six receptions for 52 yards, an 8.7 yard average and one touchdown.

Ward originally signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent more than two seasons with the Cardinals before being traded to the Tennessee Titans in the 2022 season. He also spent the 2023 season with the Titans.

With Highsmith struggling with the injury, the team activated outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon from the reserve/injured list on Saturday after he returned to practice earlier in the week.

“It's been a long road dealing with a few injuries,” Moon said. “I’m definitely grateful and working hard to get back, so today is the right day.”

“I did everything, worked with the coaches, ate right, stayed committed. It's been a while. I'm just grateful that my body has recovered now and so on. I’m ready to come back.”

The Steelers claimed Moon off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the 2023 season. Moon originally signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft.

There is good news. Guard Isaac Seumalo is active today, the first game action he will see this season after suffering a pectoral injury before the first home game of the regular season.

“I feel pretty good,” Seumalo said. “I’ve been feeling good the last few days.”

Seumalo said with experience you can get back into the game without feeling a lot of rust, something he might have answered differently a few years ago.

“I gained a lot of experience,” said Seumalo. “Even last year when I had the shoulder deal, I barely trained. I’ve always been pretty good at keeping up mentally and staying on top of things physically and being in shape and all those good things.”
The return of Seumalo is a big boost for the offense.

“He’s a great player,” Harris said. “We all know what he is capable of. Getting Issac back means putting another leader at risk again.”

The team also elevated receiver Brandon Johnson from the practice squad to the active/inactive squad for the game. Johnson entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos following the 2022 NFL Draft. He has been on the practice squad and active roster the past two seasons.

Johnson has appeared in 20 games, including three, and has 25 receptions for 326 yards and five touchdowns. He played in 13 games in 2023, recording 19 receptions for 284 yards and four touchdowns.

Quarterback Russell Wilson is the No. 3 quarterback today, while newly signed guard Max Scharping and rookie receiver Roman Wilson are inactive for the fifth straight year.

The full list of inactives can be found below.