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The Pittsburgh Steelers have dropped their list of inactives for the wild-card game against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night and there were two notable players on it: guard Mason McCormick and edge rusher Preston Smith.
McCormick is dealing with a broken hand suffered during the Week 18 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. McCormick was able to log three limited practices during the week before drawing a questionable tag but was ultimately unable to suit up.
McCormick touched on his injury during the week, saying his ability to “grip and play” would determine if he would suit up. Apparently, he did not pass that test.
“Not like a full-blown cast. I’m not going to club it,” McCormick said, per Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com. “If I can grip and play, then I’m going to. There will be some sort of brace. Like I said, I’m not going to go if it inhibits me in any way.”
With McCormick sidelined, Spencer Anderson is expected to start in his place.
Anderson started in place of an injured Isaac Seumalo earlier in the season but was eventually replaced by McCormick, who never looked back en route to a great rookie campaign.
In 311 offensive snaps played this season, Anderson has given up one sack and nine total pressures while also posting a 53.9 run-blocking grade and a 60.6 pass-blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus. He is a definite downgrade.
Smith being inactive is a little harder to explain. Acquired at the trade deadline from the Green Bay Packers, Smith appeared in all but one game for Pittsburgh before the wild-card contest. He was a healthy scratch in Week 17.
We can’t say for sure, but it might simply be a numbers game, with the Steelers having T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith all healthy. Smith was not included in the injury report during the week.
Regardless of the reason, it’s a surprise that Smith won’t be active for Pittsburgh’s most important game of the season, which is set for kickoff at 8 p.m. ET.
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