The last game of the Wild Card round at Acrisure Stadium features two physical defenses and quarterbacks capable of getting the best out of their playmakers. The Pittsburgh Steelers return to prime time with T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward anchoring a front that thrives in high‑leverage downs, while the Houston Texans arrive with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter setting the edge for a unit that helped fuel a 12‑5 finish.
Official inactives will be posted approximately 90 minutes before the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, confirming late-week statuses and any call-ups. The Texans listed multiple secondary and backfield decisions; the Steelers’ report focused on trench depth. In a low‑total playoff setting, early‑down efficiency, turnover margin, and special teams field position typically swing outcomes.
Inactive List for Steelers vs. Texans
DK Metcalf is back from his two-game suspension and will play tonight against the Texans. According to PFSN’s WR Impact Metric, the Steelers star is currently the 23rd-ranked receiver in the league.
Kamari Lassiter logged in a full practice on Saturday and is also ready for tonight’s game. The Texans’ defense, which is ranked as the best according to PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric, is expected to have all its key players available.
Here are the confirmed inactives for tonight’s game:
Pittsburgh Steelers
- QB Will Howard
- RB Kaleb Johnson
- WR Roman Wilson
- OL Jack Driscoll
- DL Logan Lee
- OLB Jeremiah Moon
- CB Tre Flowers
Houston Texans
- RB Jawhar Jordan
- WR Braxton Berrios
- CB Alijah Huzzie
- LB Christian Harris
- QB Graham Mertz
- OL Juice Scruggs
Starters for Steelers vs. Texans
Pittsburgh Steelers
- QB Aaron Rodgers
- RB Jaylen Warren
- WR1 DK Metcalf
- WR2 Calvin Austin III
- FB Connor Heyward
- TE Pat Freiermuth
- LT Andrus Peat
- LG Isaac Seumalo
- C Zach Frazier
- RG Mason McCormick
- RT Troy Fautanu
Defense:
- NT Keeanu Benton
- DT Cameron Heyward
- DE Derrick Harmon
- LOLB T.J. Watt
- ROLB Alex Highsmith
- LILB Patrick Queen
- RILB Payton Wilson
- LCB Brandin Echols
- RCB Joey Porter Jr.
- FS Jalen Ramsey
- SS Kyle Dugger
Special Teams:
- LS Christian Kuntz
- H Corliss Waitman
- K-FG Chris Boswell
- K-KO Chris Boswell
- P Corliss Waitman
- KR Kenneth Gainwell
- PR Calvin Austin III
Houston Texans
- QB C.J. Stroud
- RB Woody Marks
- WR1 Nico Collins
- WR2 Jayden Higgins
- WR3 Christian Kirk
- TE Dalton Schultz
- LT Aireontae Ersery
- LG Tytus Howard
- C Jake Andrews
- RG Ed Ingram
- RT Trent Brown
Defense:
- LDT Sheldon Rankins
- RDT Tommy Togiai
- LDE Will Anderson Jr.
- RDE Danielle Hunter
- SLB Henry To’oTo’o
- WLB Damone Clark
- MLB Azeez Al-Shaair
- LCB Derek Stingley Jr.
- RCB Kamari Lassiter
- FS Calen Bullock
- SS Myles Bryant
Special teams:
- LS Austin Brinkman
- H Tommy Townsend
- K-FG Ka’imi Fairbairn
- K-KO Ka’imi Fairbairn
- P Tommy Townsend
- KR Tremon Smith
- PR Jaylin Noel
The Steelers’ formula leans on pass‑rush disruption and Rodgers’ situational control. With Loudermilk out, Heyward and Keeanu Benton carry the interior workload, while Watt and Alex Highsmith set the edge to compress Stroud’s pocket. Metcalf’s perimeter presence demands safety help, making third-down spacing and red-zone efficiency crucial.
The Texans counter with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter off the edge, plus Derek Stingley Jr. and Lassiter outside; if S Jaylen Reed is active, sub‑packages can vary in dime looks. Offensively, the Texans rely on Stroud’s timing with Nico Collins or Christian Kirk and Woody Marks’ early‑down gains to avoid long third downs.
Special teams are crucial, as Tommy Townsend’s directional punting and Ka’imi Fairbairn’s range will be key factors in shaping hidden yards, particularly against Chris Boswell and Corliss Waitman in cold conditions. With Jawhar Jordan and Ajani Carter out, Houston’s backfield and CB depth adjust. Inactives will finalize Reed’s status and any Steelers DL elevations before a possession‑driven prime‑time matchup.
