Steelers-Patriots clash at 1-1 heightens roster depth with inactives shaping the game. Derrick Harmon returns to bolster Pittsburgh's interior line, while several regulars are out, including Porter Jr. and Highsmith. New England lists Gonzalez, Gregory, Wallace, Chism, Ponder and DeVito as inactive, testing their depth and flexibility on defense and special teams.

Expect the game to hinge on how Pittsburgh can pressure and clog gaps without full edge rotation and how New England compensates in the secondary and trench with a thinner group. Fantasy angles center on who steps up in spot duties and which defense wins the chess match in the trenches.

Week 1 inactives for New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers inject notable fantasy volatility. Vera-Tucker and Lazard sit for the Jets, along with Braiden McGregor, thinning the interior and receiver depth. Jelani Woods is also listed as inactive, adding a wrinkle for tight end usage in the surrounding context. For Pittsburgh, the list includes Derrick Harmon, Nick Herbig, Skylar Thompson, Max Scharping, Andrus Peat, and Ese Otomewo, signaling shifts along both lines and depth on defense. The opening matchup now hinges on which role players seize expanded opportunities and how coaches deploy their depth charts in MetLife.

Fantasy takeaway: Jets must compensate for Vera-Tucker and Lazard with lineman shuffles and elevated targets for other pass-catchers, while Steelers’ inactives thin certain rotations but could boost opportunities for reserves on both sides of the ball. DFS and daily fantasy pivot to upside plays at the edges and in the Jets’ and Steelers’ supporting cast, with a wait-and-see lens on early-series snaps.

Pittsburgh reshuffles six jersey numbers ahead of the regular season, led by Yahya Black moving to No. 94. Esezi Otomewo becomes 93, Andrus Peat 71, Max Hurleman 84, D'Shawn Jamison 38, and Trey Sermon 37. No. 94 last belonged to Dean Lowry, who is out with a knee injury. Black wore 94 at Iowa, and preseason buzz could push him into action as Week 1 vs. the Jets looms.

The change signals a fresh Steelers DL rotation and potential fantasy upside for Black if his momentum carries over. Sermon and Hurleman add backfield and committee depth, while Otomewo and Jamison provide versatile line-coverage options. The Jets opener on Sept. 7 will reveal how these moves translate to real game snaps.

For fantasy players, tracking snap counts and usage in that opener will be critical. If Black commands early-down reps and pressures the quarterback, a notable surge in tackle and sack opportunities could follow, especially with Lowry sidelined.

As the Pittsburgh Steelers countdown to kickoff approaches its 72-day mark, attention turns to the notable history of the No. 72 jersey, a number worn by several significant players. Currently, offensive guard Doug Nester and defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo proudly don the number for the team. Nester, who spent the previous season on the practice squad, signed a Reserve/Future contract to solidify his place on the roster. Meanwhile, Otomewo looks to make an impact in the upcoming season after contributing to the defensive line.

Throughout the years, the No. 72 jersey has been associated with key figures in the Steelers' history, sparking discussions among fans about who wore it best. The legacy of this number reflects the team's storied past and its ever-evolving roster dynamics as they prepare for their upcoming matchup against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.