Historic Game in Ireland Marked by Key Absences
The NFL is making history on the Emerald Isle as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings clash in the league’s first-ever regular-season game in Dublin, Ireland. Both teams enter the Week 4 contest on Sunday, September 28, 2025, with identical 2-1 records, setting the stage for a pivotal matchup at the iconic Croke Park. For fans in the United States, it’s an early start, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET, as American football takes center stage in front of more than 82,000 European fans.
The game marks a significant moment for the NFL’s global expansion. While the Steelers played a preseason game in Dublin back in 1997, this is the first time the stakes of the regular season have been on the line in Ireland. The atmosphere is electric, with “Steeler Nation” making the transatlantic journey to support their team. However, beyond the historic setting and fan festivities, the primary storyline heading into kickoff is the significant toll injuries have taken on both rosters.
Steelers Sidelined by Injuries
The Steelers will be without several key starters, testing the team’s depth on both sides of the ball. The team officially announced its inactive list, which includes some of its most impactful players.
Key Players Out for Pittsburgh
The defense will be missing a major piece of its pass rush, as linebacker Alex Highsmith was ruled out early in the week and did not travel with the team to Dublin. The secondary also remains shorthanded, with cornerback Joey Porter Jr. set to miss his third consecutive game with a hamstring injury.
On offense, the running back room took a significant hit with the surprise deactivation of Jaylen Warren, who appeared on the injury report this week with a knee issue. The news is particularly notable as the Steelers recently invested in Warren as their lead back, signing him to a two-year contract extension on September 1, 2025, according to reports from digitaltrendstoday.com.
The full list of Steelers inactives includes:
- No. 24 CB Joey Porter Jr.
- No. 30 RB Jaylen Warren
- No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith
- No. 71 G Andrus Peat
- No. 93 DE Esezi Otomewo
Vikings Also Face Roster Challenges
The Minnesota Vikings are also contending with their own injury problems, most notably at the quarterback position. Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be inactive as he continues to recover from an ankle injury, meaning veteran Carson Wentz will get the start against the Steelers’ defense.
With key players out, the Steelers are relying on their “next man up” philosophy. To compensate for Warren’s absence, running back Trey Sermon has been elevated from the practice squad. In the secondary, the team will continue to lean on its depth. “I feel like we’re pretty deep for the most part,” safety Juan Thornhill said. “We’ve got guys, second, third string guys that are ready to play at any moment. Everybody that stepped in has made a lot of plays.”
The Vikings’ inactive list is as follows:
- No. 5 QB Desmond Ridder (3rd QB)
- No. 9 QB J.J. McCarthy
- No. 43 LB Andrew Van Ginkel
- No. 73 OT Walter Rouse
- No. 74 G Donovan Jackson
- No. 85 TE Ben Yurosek
As kickoff approaches in Dublin, this historic international game has become a crucial test of resilience for both the Steelers and the Vikings. With both teams aiming to improve to a 3-1 record, the outcome may well be decided by which squad’s depth can best overcome the absence of its star players on a global stage.
