Steelers set Week 5 inactives vs. Colts, list seven players sidelined

Pittsburgh will hold seven players out for its Week 5 matchup with Indianapolis, including two quarterbacks and several defensive backs and a defensive lineman.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

Pittsburgh has declared seven players inactive for its Week 5 game against the Indianapolis Colts. The inactive list, reported ahead of kickoff, includes running back Rico Dowdle, quarterbacks Will Howard and Drew Allar, running back Eli Heidenreich, cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Terell Smith, and defensive end Kevin Jobity Jr.

Inactives are a routine part of NFL weekly roster management, but this particular group affects both sides of the ball. With both Howard and Allar among the listed players, Pittsburgh will need its available quarterbacks to handle the Week 5 game plan versus an Indianapolis offense preparing for its matchup window.

On the ground, the inclusion of Dowdle and Heidenreich means the Steelers’ active backfield group will be reshaped for the Colts contest. How Pittsburgh balances between early-down run calls and passing plays will likely depend on which skill players are available beyond the inactive list.

The defensive portion of the list features cornerbacks Dean and Terell Smith, two players whose presence would normally matter for man coverage and matchup-specific assignments. In addition, defensive end Kevin Jobity Jr. being inactive changes the Steelers’ front rotation and pass-rush look, factors that often drive coordinator adjustments from the opening series onward.

Because the report is limited to the inactive designations, it does not specify reasons for each player being held out. Teams sometimes rest players for workload management, while others are held back due to game-week health decisions or practice availability.

What to watch next is how Pittsburgh structures the Week 5 active roster around the absences. The most immediate storyline is the quarterback and playcaller setup, followed by which running backs take the bulk of early-down and late-game snaps. On defense, the cornerback and edge options Pittsburgh deploys will shape how it counters Indianapolis passing routes and how it pressures the quarterback.

For Colts-Steelers fans, the inactives also offer a window into Pittsburgh’s depth and readiness under game-week constraints. Week 5 is still early enough in the season that roster continuity matters, but NFL outcomes often swing on who is able to execute roles reliably when availability shifts.

Why It Matters

With two quarterbacks listed as inactive, Pittsburgh’s active quarterback group and weekly offensive rhythm will be a primary storyline.
The absence of two running backs affects how the Steelers allocate carries and complementary passing plays early in the game.
Cornerback inactives can influence coverage matchups and the Steelers’ ability to defend against Indianapolis perimeter passing.
A defensive end inactive changes the Steelers’ front alignment and pass-rush rotation, which often affects pressure rates and third-down efficiency.

Sources

Key Facts

Pittsburgh declared seven players inactive for Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Inactives include Steelers RB Rico Dowdle and RB Eli Heidenreich.
Inactives include Steelers QBs Will Howard and Drew Allar.
Inactives include Steelers CBs Jamel Dean and Terell Smith.
Inactives include Steelers DE Kevin Jobity Jr.