The Pittsburgh Steelers will be missing three wide receivers Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But they will have veteran running back Rico Dowdle back in the lineup.

On Sunday morning, the Steelers announced Dowdle will be active for the Week 6 matchup versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dowdle has missed the past three contests because of a toe injury.

Entering Sunday, the Steelers had Dowdle listed as questionable for Week 6. He was limited in practice Wednesday and then fully practiced on Thursday and Friday.

Dowdle sustained the ailment during Week 2 versus the New England Patriots. That ruined Pittsburgh’s plan for a 1-2 punch in the backfield with Dowdle and Jaylen Warren. However, Warren has been terrific in Dowdle’s absence, leading the Steelers with 640 yards from scrimmage this season.

Before leaving in Week 2, Dowdle ran for 37 yards on 15 carries, averaging 2.5 yards per rush, this season. He also had four catches for 28 yards.

With Dowdle active, the Steelers have made rookie running back Eli Heidenreich inactive for a fourth straight game. Wide receiver Ben Skowronek, quarterbacks Ben Skowronek and Will Howard, cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, cornerback Terell Smith and defensive lineman Kevin Jobity Jr. are Pittsburgh’s other inactive players for Sunday’s game. Howard will serve as the team’s emergency QB3.

The Steelers will face the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay at 1 pm ET.

Steelers Make Final Decision on RB Rico Dowdle

Even with Heidenreich inactive, the Steelers will have four running backs dressed versus the Buccaneers. In addition to Warren and Dowdle, Travis Homer and Lew Nichols will also play.

The Steelers signed Nichols from the practice squad to the active roster Sunday.

Pittsburgh’s WR Injuries in Week 6 vs. Buccaneers

Dowdle’s return doesn’t boost the Steelers receiving corps. But it will help the team’s offense, which could try and run the ball a lot with so many receivers sidelined.

Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek will all sit out Sunday versus the Buccaneers. Pittman could miss at least three more games because of a football injury, but Steelers insider Mark Kaboly suggested Friday it will be longer.

The Steelers just placed Wilson on injured reserve Saturday because of a finger injury. Wilson won’t be eligible to play again until the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

Skowronek has avoided IR for now. Like Wilson, he left Week 5 with an injury. Skowronek hurt his calf and didn’t return.