The Pittsburgh Steelers have released their Week 3 inactives ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the New England Patriots, and the news is a mixed bag. Starting left tackle Troy Fautanu is active and will suit up after missing some practice time this week, but wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is officially out. That absence is set to push rookie second-round pick Germie Bernard into a significant role for the Steelers’ offense against the Patriots.

Fautanu’s availability is a boost for a Pittsburgh offensive line that needs him on the field. His practice designations trended in the right direction all week, clearing the path for him to be out there Sunday. The Steelers will need his presence up front, especially with questions surrounding the skill positions.

Pittman’s absence opens the door for Jermaine Bernard

The bigger story is Pittman being ruled inactive, which leaves a void at the No. 2 wide receiver spot. That void figures to be filled by Bernard, the Steelers’ second-round selection out of Alabama.

The truth is, Aaron Rodgers hasn’t exactly been enthusiastic about Bernard’s readiness to this point. Rodgers pushed back on the idea of Bernard being a focal point in the offense, saying the rookie needed to learn the playbook inside and out before he could be trusted on the field. Well, Rodgers doesn’t really have a choice now. His No. 2 receiver is out, and Bernard is the next man up.

This is going to be a revealing afternoon for the Steelers. Bernard’s draft pedigree suggests the talent is there, but the regular season is a different animal than training camp and preseason. Sunday’s game will show what Pittsburgh is actually getting from its second-round investment.

Full Steelers inactives vs. Patriots

The rest of Pittsburgh’s inactive list includes Drew Allar, Gennings Dunker, Kevin Jobity, and Gabriel Rubio. Will Howard is serving as the emergency quarterback. Joey Porter Jr. is also inactive, which comes as no surprise after he was labeled out on Friday. Porter is at the game, but there have been mixed reports this morning about whether he will play next week or whether he’ll even be on the team beyond that.

The bottom line is, Pittsburgh’s offense is going to look different without Pittman in the lineup. Bernard has the stage, and how he performs could shape his role for the rest of the season. Steelers fans will find out soon enough what the rookie is made of.