Robert Spillane, not Buddy Johnson inactive for the Steelers in Week 1

The Pittsburgh Steelers have released their inactives for their opening game against the Buffalo Bills. With no players ruled out due to injury, the list is made up of five healthy scratches. With new roster rules which began in 2020, teams will only need to have five players inactive each game unless they elevate any players from the practice squad. With no elevations coming from the Steelers on Saturday, the five-man list was initially announced per Bob Labriola of Steelers.com.

When the Steelers announced there inactive list on their website, it was Robert Spillane and not Buddy Johnson was was inactive. This per Mark Kaboly of The Athletic.

This was the second straight season the Steelers had a snafu with their inactive list for Week 1. Last season, the Steelers accidentally made six players inactive when they only needed five. This season, it was simply reporting the wrong player. According to Daley Lolley of DK Pittsburgh Sports, the change occurred at the last minute as Robert Spillane suffered a shin injury in warm ups.

On Saturday, linebacker Alex Highsmith had his questionable status removed as was announced he would be active for the game.

As expected, the Pittsburgh Steelers only dress two quarterbacks on game day. With Dwayne Haskins being the third man on the depth chart, he found himself on the inactive list as will be expected each week barring an unfortunate circumstance.

Carrying nine offensive lineman, the NFL rules allow 48 players to be active as long as eight of them are on the offensive line. Therefore, the additional lineman who is inactive for the Steelers in Week 1 is guard Rashaad Coward.

Even with Stephon Tuitt currently on the Reserve/Injured List, the Steelers have chosen to go with the five defensive linemen for Week 1. With six on the roster, rookie Isaiahh Loudermilk did not get a helmet the first week of the season.

Steelers fans are still quite surprised that six inside linebackers not only made the initial 53-man roster, but are all healthy and still on the roster for Week 1. With so many players at the position group, it was reported the Steelers had rookie Buddy Johnson inactive, but the list was later changed to Robert Spillane not getting a helmet.

The Steelers also have six players in the cornerback room at the moment. Therefore, only five players are active and newly acquired Ahkello Witherspoon is the odd man out as he gets acclimated with the Steelers defense.

As for the Bills inactives, they can be seen below. Defensive lineman Star Lotulelei was ruled out on Friday. The biggest player of note is running back Zach Moss who is a healthy scratch. Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders in active after being listed as questionable.