A handful of notable Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting out the team\u2019s preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers. QB Aaron Rodgers, S Jaquan Brisker, receivers DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., OT Max Iheanachor, DL Sebastian Joseph-Day, and newly signed ILB Elandon Roberts won\u2019t play in tonight\u2019s contest.<\/p>\n
The Athletic\u2019s Mike DeFabo and Steelers.com\u2019s Brian Batko shared lists shortly before kickoff.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Noteworthy players in uniform: DeShon Elliott, Asante Samuel Jr., Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Roman Wilson.<\/p>\n Not in uniform: Aaron Rodgers, Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey, Jaquan Brisker, Brandin Echols. Don’t see DK or Pittman, either.<\/p>\n \u2014 Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) August 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n In addition to Aaron Rodgers, other Steelers in street clothes tonight: Jaquan Brisker, DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Brandin Echols, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Max Iheanachor, Elandon Roberts (already here!)<\/p>\n \u2014 Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) August 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Rodgers is healthy and being sat for precautionary reasons. Mason Rudolph will start<\/a> with Will Howard replacing him. Rookie Drew Allar will finish out the game.<\/p>\n Iheanachor suffered an upper-<\/a>body injury on Aug. 6<\/a> that appeared to be to his neck\/shoulder region. He returned for a very light session on Monday but head coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged he was unlikely to play tonight while he regains his strength. At the earliest, his debut will have to wait until Aug. 21 against the New York Jets. Broderick Jones could benefit with extra playing time.<\/p>\n Pittman and Metcalf were injured during the team\u2019s Saturday night practice. Trainers appeared to be checking Pittman\u2019s right hamstring while Metcalf\u2019s injury is unknown. It\u2019ll create plenty of chances for third-year receiver Roman Wilson and rookie Germie Bernard to shine along with Brandon Smith, who has impressed and is aiming to at least lock down a practice squad spot.<\/p>\n Brisker suffered a minor injury late last week. He returned to practice in limited fashion Monday, and the team is likely being cautious with his return. Echols injured his ankle early in the week and wasn\u2019t expected to play. The injury seems relatively minor, and he could return for one of the team\u2019s final two preseason games. Joseph-Day has missed the last several practices due to an unknown injury.<\/p>\n Strong safety DeShon Elliott, who has been limited in training camp while working back from a 2025 knee\/leg injury, is in uniform, per DeFabo. As are DL Cam Heyward and EDGE T.J. Watt. How much they will play, if at all, remains to be seen. Our David Orochena noted rookie RB Eli Heidenreich is in uniform tonight after being limited in recent practices due to a right leg injury.<\/p>\n UPDATE (7:00 PM):\u00a0Per DeFabo, Heyward nor Watt were named starters tonight, implying they won\u2019t play and just went through pregame warmup in uniform. The same applies to RBs Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle, per Batko.<\/p>\n Defensive starters announced: \u2014 Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) August 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n It’s also a bucket hat\/sneakers night for the Steelers’ one-two punch at running back, Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle.<\/p>\n \u2014 Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) August 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n If any other names are spotted not in uniform, we\u2019ll pass them along.<\/p>\n
Harmon, Black, Benton, Samuel Jr., Dean, Spears-Jennings, Jenkins, Slaughter, Herbig, Wilson, Queen, Highsmith.<\/p>\n