Coming off a disappointing Week 4 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the Pittsburgh Steelers have their eyes set on a bounce-back win in primetime. The Dallas Cowboys come to Pittsburgh as the Steelers open their first of three home games in the next four weeks.

Dallas comes off a Thursday Night victory last week as they took down the New York Giants in a surprisingly exciting game. The Cowboys have not looked all too impressive their first four weeks with two losses. One of these losses includes the dismantling from New Orleans in Week 1.

With both teams scrapping for positioning in good divisions, this historic matchup is shaping up to be special. The Cowboys will be without DeMarcus Lawrence as well as a doubtful Micah Parsons. The Steelers have their fair share of injuries as well as they will be missing the likes of Jaylen Warren, Cordarelle Patterson, James Daniels, and Troy Fautanu.

With such a lineup of key pieces missing for both sides, both the stars and role players will need to have their A-games going. So, here are five players you will want to keep a close eye on in Week 5.

QB Justin Fields

Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images

Justin Fields is now one of the most important players on the Steelers roster and therefore someone to constantly keep a close eye on. After Weeks 1-3 where Fields did just about what he needed to for the Steelers to win, he exploded in Week 4 but did not get the result this time.

Fields and the Steelers now meet an already struggling Dallas defense that will suffer even more this week because of injuries. Their run defense has been especially bad, and they were exposed in a big way when they dropped a Week 2 contest to Baltimore 28-25. If Fields can use his legs well, escape the pocket adequately, and put up numbers similar to Week 4, Dallas will not be able to contain him.

RB Najee Harris

Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images

The three-time 1,000-plus yard rusher Najee Harris enters this game on somewhat of an island in the Steelers backfield. With injuries to second and third-string backs Warren and Patterson, Harris will be carrying a heavier load than normal against the Cowboys.

Harris has yet to have a groundbreaking game this season and was unable even to meet 20 rushing yards against the Colts. If the Steelers want to so much as sniff a win this week, Harris must be better. With how poor the Cowboys rush defense has been, you can expect offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to have plenty of plays in the locker for Harris.

LG Isaac Seumalo

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Alas, Steelers left guard Isaac Seumalo returns to action for the black and gold this Sunday Night. Seumalo has yet to play a snap in 2024 and has been deeply missed on this young Steelers offensive line.

After the devastating news of likely season-ending injuries to both James Daniels and Troy Fautanu, Seumalo’s return could not have been more timely. All of this paired with the Cowboys missing their best edge rusher has massive implications on the outcome. If Seumalo can return in pristine form, the Steeles offensive line could outplay the Cowboys defensive line, and possibly shake up the outcome of the game.

LB Nick Herbig

Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images

With Alex Highsmith remaining out of the lineup, it is once again Nick Herbig’s time to shine. Herbig came in and dominated making the infamous splash plays in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers, eventually helping his team to a win. The story was not nearly the same in Week 4 as Herbig registered just combined tackles.

This does not all fall on Herbig though, as the majority of the Steelers’ defense did not look good against Indianapolis. Regardless, everyone can see the potential Herbig has after his two-sack explosion against the Chargers. Herbig getting to quarterback Dak Prescott and continuing to make a name for himself in this league will be something to watch closely on Sunday.

SS DeShon Elliott

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Since his arrival, DeShon Elliott has bolstered the Steelers secondary massively. With one of the top receivers in the entire league coming to Pittsburgh this weekend, he may have an even bigger role than he has already had.

While cornerback Joey Porter Jr. will likely draw most of star receiver CeeDee Lamb, a double team could perhaps be on the Steelers bingo card for Sunday. With the Cowboys’ lack of receiver depth, doubling Lamb with Porter Jr. and Elliott might just be a recipe for success for defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. Whether or not this happens, look for Elliott to continue being a core piece of this revamped secondary.

With bragging rights on the line for two decorated franchises, these five players could play key roles in the Steelers coming out on top.