The Steelers enter tonight’s game against the Dallas Cowboys down a few players after being ruled out on Friday’s injury report and being inactive.

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

With Warren and Patterson out, it will be the first year in a row that Aaron Shampklin will back up Najee Harris.

The team elevated Shampklin from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive roster for the Colts game, then signed him to the 53-man roster this week.

Shampklin saw his first NFL game action against the Colts, with one carry for five yards, but he is 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 any way I can. Definitely an exciting moment.

“I got the first game under my belt, but it’s a long season. I really haven’t made as much of an impact as I would like. I feel like I’m still practice squad and still trying to make a name for myself and 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. “Also because of his size, very physical, just like Jaylen. We’re not shy or scared or anything when he goes in there and runs the ball or does something that all the other guys would do.

“I have confidence in him, I have confidence in everyone in there. It’s not a downgrade for anyone. We’re all excited about their chances. Shamp, with this being his second NFL game, I’m excited for him.”

The team also elevated running back Jonathan Ward from the practice squad to the active/inactive roster for the game. Ward attended the Steelers rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, then was signed and made the practice squad.

In four seasons in the NFL, he played in 43 games, carrying the ball 17 times for 69 yards, a 4.1-yard average. 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 after the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent two seasons with the Cardinals before joining the Tennessee Titans for the 2022 season. He also spent the 2023 season with the Titans.

While Highsmith was dealing with the injury, the team activated outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon from the Reserve/Blessed List on Saturday after he returned to practice earlier this week.

“It’s been a long road with a few injuries,” Moon said. “I’m absolutely grateful and doing my very best to come back, so today is the day.

“I’ve been doing everything, working with the trainers, eating well, staying involved. It’s been a while. I’m just grateful that my body is recovered now and everything. I’m ready to get 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 prior to the first home game of the regular season.

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

Seumalo said that with experience has come the ability to get back into the game without feeling much rust, something he might have responded to differently a few years ago.

“I have a lot of experience under my belt,” Seumalo said. “Even last year when I had a shoulder injury, I hardly practiced. I’ve always been pretty good at staying mentally in it and staying in shape physically and all that good stuff.”
Getting Seumalo back 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 getting a new leader back in line.”

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

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

Quarterback Russell Wilson is the third quarterback today, while newly signed guard Max Scharping is inactive, as is rookie receiver Roman Wilson for the fifth straight week.

The full list of inactives can be found below.