Ahead of a pivotal Christmas Day showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Pittsburgh Steelers have released their inactives list on gameday. Quarterback Justin Fields will be among the inactives, as will cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs are about to engage in a Christmas Crunch of games ... along with the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans - who go later today - playing a third contest in the span of just 11 days.

The Steelers will have wide receiver George Pickens in the lineup on Christmas, but they won't have quarterback Justin Fields.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) AP

Justin Fields’ absence cements a favorable draft pick outcome for the Steelers, turning a conditional trade into a clear win.

If that is indeed the case, Kyle Allen would be in line to serve as the Steelers' No. 2 signal-caller behind Russell Wilson. Rapoport notes that Fields could serve as Pittsburgh's emergency third quarterback Wednesday and might be able to return to action next Sunday against Cincinnati.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are just hours away from playing their third game in the past 11 days, like the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs,

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly set to get a key player back in the lineup for their Christmas Day matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, and

Follow live coverage of today's Christmas Day game as the Chiefs and Steelers square off in a battle of AFC powerhouses

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without five players against the Kansas City Chiefs, with only three players out due to injury. Quarterback Justin Fields will be the emergency third quarterback but is inactive after two limited practices. He is setting up to return as the backup against the Cincinnati Bengals next week.