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Chiefs vs. Steelers: Joe Haden, David DeCastro are inactive for Pittsburgh

By Matt Conner

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Joe Haden #23 of the Pittsburgh Steelers breaks up a pass intended for Josh Gordon #12 of the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Joe Haden #23 of the Pittsburgh Steelers breaks up a pass intended for Josh Gordon #12 of the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without two of their better contributors today with the announcement that Joe Haden and David DeCastro are among their inactives vs. the Chiefs.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were already missing their star running back Le’Veon Bell as they prepare to defend their home turf on Sunday against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs. Now they will officially have to be without a couple more contributors who were trying to heal up as much as possible in the days leading up to Sunday afternoon’s contest.

Veteran cornerback Joe Haden and All-Pro guard David DeCastro will not be able to suit up for the Steelers on Sunday when the teams take the field after being listed as doubtful on the team’s injury report heading into the AFC showdown. The loss of both players, who were listed as inactives, will mean some level of adjustment on both sides and the loss could factor into today’s game for certain as the Steelers now have a bigger hurdle to overcome.

Haden is a heralded corner who has been a solid starter for the Steelers since arriving from Cleveland. The Steelers are going to need all hands on deck in the secondary against the Chiefs deep-play ability and Haden’s absence will test Pittsburgh’s depth among their pass defenders.

DeCastro is backed up by B.J. Finney who is a nice substitute for sure, but few players can live up to the level of play provided by DeCastro, a former first round pick and 3-time Pro Bowler. The running game has already tapped into a backup in James Conner to actually run the ball but now his blockers are being tested as well.

As for the Chiefs, there are no surprises among inactives unless you predicted Eric Berry to shock everyone with his first appearance of the season. Here are the full list of Chiefs inactives:

  • S Eric Berry
  • RB Darrel Williams
  • CB Charvarius Ward
  • LB Ben Niemann
  • OL Austin Reiter
  • OL Kahlil McKenzie
  • DL Justin Hamilton

And here is the full list of Steelers inactives.

  • QB Mason Rudolph
  • WR Justin Hunter
  • CB Joe Haden
  • S Marcus Allen
  • OL David DeCastro
  • OL Zach Banner
  • DL Tyson Alualu

The teams will kick off at 12:00 p.m. C.T.

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