Bengals vs. Steelers inactives: Jackson Carman to make first NFL start

The Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers have announced their Week 3 inactives.

For the Bengals, here’s who won’t be playing today.

• WR Tee Higgins
• OG Xavier Su’a-Filo
• CB Trae Waynes
• DT Tyler Shelvin
• CB Nick McCloud
• OT Fred Johnson

It’s officially Jackson Carman time, as the second-round rookie will start at right guard today in place of Xavier Su’a-Filo. As bad as the interior of the offensive line has been thus far, the former Clemson Tigers lineman has a chance to keep this starting spot with a good performance today.

With Tee Higgins out, veteran Auden Tate will make his first start of 2021 today. Being in a contract year, today is a big one for Tate’s future as he looks to show other teams he’ll be worth a decent contract when he hits free agency in 2022, assuming he doesn’t re-sign with the Bengals.

The Bengals have six inactives because practice squad safety Sean Davis was elevated to the gameday roster today. Because they didn’t elevate a second player, they only need six inactives.

And for the Steelers, here are their inactives.

• LB T.J. Watt
• LB Alex Highsmith
• DT Carlos Davis
• WR Diontae Johnson
• OG Rashaad Coward
• QB Dwayne Haskins
• CB Ahkello Witherspoon

No surprises here since T.J. Watt was ruled out Saturday after initially being listed as questionable to play. Fellow defensive starter Alex Highsmith is also out, which is good news for a Bengals offense that was in complete disarray for 3 ¹⁄₂ quarters last week in Chicago.