5 Steelers players who’ll step up against Raiders
The Pittsburgh Steelers exited their Week 5 loss to the Dallas Cowboys during the 2024 NFL regular season with a few more injuries. That will require that the Steelers initiate their “next man up” mantra and ask previous depth players to step up into bigger roles, including starting, against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6.
Jeremiah Moon and Isaiahh Loudermilk
Moon and Loudermilk are a combo deal this week. With injuries to Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig, Moon looks to start opposite T.J. Watt at outside linebacker, but the Steelers have, and can, move Loudermilk to the outside.
With DeMarvin Leal dealing with a neck injury that was described as a “stinger,” Loudermilk may also line up along the defensive line.
“We’ve done that in the past, and we will moving forward.. (Isaiahh is) just a versatile guy. He, and Leal, are defensive linemen that are participants in special teams, both guys are on kickoff. I think that speaks to their unique skill sets and allows them the position flexibility to slide outside and give us some big man presence when lines get short.” – Mike Tomlin
Regardless, both Moon and Loudermilk will see their snap counts increase against the Raiders.
Aaron Shampklin
The running back position is thin due to injuries to Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson. Najee Harris is considered the workhorse out of the offensive backfield, but Shampklin – who also was a special teams returner in Week 5 – will be the guy that backs Harris up.
Warren did practice this week and made statements to the effect that he could enter the game if he’s called upon, but there was no official decision made about his physical readiness as of Wednesday.
If Warren can go on Sunday, Shampklin will still dress and be a go-to in situations.
Isaac Seumalo
Seumalo played in Week 5’s game but he’s still coming off of an injury. Tomlin told the media that the team would “manage” his work at practices early in the week but expects Seumalo to get the start at left guard against the Raiders.
Should Seumalo have a setback, Spencer Anderson is the likely replacement.
DeShon Elliott
Elliott has seen playing time this regular season, but he may get more snaps on defense this weekend due to an injury to Damontae Kazee. Kazee rolled his ankle during pregame warmups against the Dallas Cowboys, but still played in the game. That ankle has swollen and Tomlin said, “He’s not in a good spot,” when talking about injury updates.
Elliott has a 84.9 percent snap count on defense in 2024, so he’s no stranger to stepping into a bigger role.
