LB Ulysees Gilbert, RB Anthony McFarland inactive for Steelers in season opener
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — For the season opener against the New York Giants, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be have a special teams player and a converted safety as the only players available as the backups at inside linebacker.
Ulysees Gilbert III, a second-year linebacker who was expected to compete for a spot behind starters Vince Williams and Devin Bush, was among six players on the Steelers’ inactive list Monday night.
By sitting Gilbert, the Steelers went into the opener with Robert Spillane, a core special teams player, and safety Marcus Allen as the only backups at the position. Allen began practicing with the linebackers at training camp.
Also declared inactive were quarterback Joshua Dobbs, running back Anthony McFarland Jr., defensive lineman Carlos Davis, tight end Zach Gentry and All-Pro guard David DeCastro.
DeCastro was ruled out Saturday with a knee injury. Stefen Wisniewski started in his place at right guard.
With McFarland, a fourth-round draft pick from Maryland, sitting out the opener, the Steelers had Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels backing up starter James Conner.
Among the players active for the prime-time matchup are wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud, cornerbacks Justin Layne and James Pierre, center J.C. Hassenauer and defensive end Isaiah Buggs.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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