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Pat Freiermuth Pat Freiermuth Plays two preseason games
Thu, Sep 3, 2026, 11:19 PM
Freiermuth capped the Steelers' preseason schedule with one catch (on one target) for two yards in two contests.
Analysis: Through five campaigns as a pro, Freiermuth has played at least 16 regular-season games on four occasions, and his tally of 486 receiving yards from 2025 marked his lowest among them. He was on the receiving end of passes from QB Aaron Rodgers for the first time, and with Rodgers returning for his age-43 season, Freiermuth likely isn't in store for much more production, even if the addition of WR Michael Pittman frees up more space for the tight end to operate. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers To have Metcalf, Pittman back in Week 1
Thu, Sep 3, 2026, 11:06 PM
Rodgers is expected to have WRs DK Metcalf (undisclosed) and Michael Pittman (hamstring) available Week 1 against the Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 13, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Rodgers didn't suit up in the preseason, and coach Mike McCarthy tied his decision to do so to the fact that Metcalf and Pittman weren't healthy enough to play. Even if one or both of Metcalf and Pittman aren't available for the regular-season opener, Rodgers wouldn't be a consideration to be inactive, but it appears the duo will be able to suit up, barring any setbacks in the meantime. Rodgers led a Steelers offense in 2025 that didn't have much talent at WR aside from Metcalf, but the quarterback still completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 16 regular-season games. |
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Will Howard Will Howard Cleared from concussion protocol
Thu, Sep 3, 2026, 6:43 PM
Howard (head) announced after Thursday's practice that he has been cleared from concussion protocol, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Howard experienced concussion-like symptoms during last Thursday's 28-27 preseason loss to Buffalo, though he still managed to finish the first half. The 2025 sixth-round pick has has yet to play a regular-season snap for the Steelers, and he's unlikely to do so again in 2026 unless both Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph are sidelined simultaneously at some point. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Splitting backfield with Warren
Thu, Sep 3, 2026, 1:19 PM
Dowdle and Jaylen Warren are slated to have regular roles in the Steelers offense during the 2026 season, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Despite Warren being the top incumbent running back in Pittsburgh, Graziano believes that Dowdle is a better bet to handle early downs out of the backfield, not only due to his experience working with new coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas but because of his combined 471 carries over the last two seasons. Both campaigns resulted in more than 1,000 yards on the ground for Dowdle, while Warren has topped out at 958 rushing yards (2025) in his four-year career. Warren does have the advantage in pass-catching chops, with 139 receptions over the last three years. As a result, both players are in line for weekly usage for the Steelers. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren To share backfield with Dowdle
Thu, Sep 3, 2026, 1:12 PM
Warren and Rico Dowdle are expected to have regular roles in the Steelers offense during the 2026 season, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: With Kenny Gainwell moving on to the Buccaneers in free agency, Warren is the top incumbent running back in Pittsburgh, but Dowdle has taken Gainwell's place. Dowdle's previous experience with new coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas could dampen Warren's early-down role somewhat, but according to Graziano, Warren should take on the bulk of the pass-catching work out of Pittsburgh's backfield, as evidenced by his 139 catches in 48 regular-season games over the last three campaigns. Overall, Warren handled a career-high 251 touches in 2025, while Dowdle is coming off back-to-back seasons with 274 (with the Cowboys) and 275 (in Carolina), so both should be busy on a weekly basis this fall. |
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Darnell Washington Darnell Washington Makes two preseason appearances
Wed, Sep 2, 2026, 6:09 PM
Washington ended the preseason slate with one reception (on one target) for five yards across two contests.
Analysis: QB Aaron Rodgers and WRs DK Metcalf (undisclosed) and Michael Pittman (hamstring) didn't suit up during exhibition season, but Washington was among the regular members of the Steelers offense to see some work along the way. Washington is coming off a career-best 31-364-1 line on 43 targets in 16 regular-season games in 2025, and he's also logged between 497 and 560 offensive snaps in each of his three pro campaigns. Still, with Pat Freiermuth locked in to the top pass-catching TE role, Washington will need to take advantage of his sparse looks from Rodgers. |
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Placed on IR with return designation
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 7:04 PM
The Steelers placed Driscoll (undisclosed) on injured reserve Monday with a designation to return during the regular season, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Driscoll will now need to miss at least four games of the regular season on injured reserve before he is eligible to return to the Steelers' active roster. The offensive tackle is dealing with an unknown issue, and it is unclear if he will need more than the minimum required time to recover. |
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Placed on reserve/PUP list
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 7:02 PM
The Steelers placed Kent (undisclosed) on the reserve/PUP list Monday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Kent spent all of training camp on the active/PUP list, enabling the cornerback to start the regular season on the reserve/PUP list. The 24-year-old will need to miss at least the first four games of the regular season before he is eligible to return to the active roster. |
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Ben Skowronek Ben Skowronek Placed in concussion protocol
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 5:18 PM
Skowronek suffered a concussion in Thursday's 28-27 preseason loss to the Bills, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Skowronek has entered the NFL's five-step concussion protocol. The wide receiver will need to be cleared by an independent neurologist to ultimately be cleared for game action. If the 29-year-old cannot recover from the injury by the Steelers' Week 1 showdown with the Falcons, Kaden Wetjen projects to fill the No. 5 wide receiver role. |
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Will Howard Will Howard Enters concussion protocol
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 5:14 PM
Howard suffered a concussion during Thursday's 28-27 preseason loss to the Bills, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Howard is now in the NFL's five-step concussion protocol and will need to be consistently evaluated by an independent neurologist to progress back to full contact practice. The quarterback is currently an emergency option on the initial 53-man roster behind Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph. |
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Michael Pittman Jr. Michael Pittman Jr. Expected to be fine for Week 1
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 2:17 PM
Pittman (hamstring) is expected to be ready for Week 1 against the Falcons, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Like teammate DK Metcalf (undisclosed), Pittman has missed a bunch of practice time this summer and didn't see any preseason action. However, Pittman was back on the practice field last week and will now have the next couple weeks to get ramped up for the Week 1 opener. Acquired from the Colts over the offseason, Pittman is expected to push Metcalf for the team lead in targets this season, but it's fair to wonder about Pittman's chemistry with Aaron Rodgers right out of the gates. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Expected to be ready for Week 1
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 2:13 PM
Metcalf (undisclosed) is expected to be ready for Week 1 against the Falcons, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Metcalf has been some sort of undisclosed ailment for much of the summer, but he returned to practice last week and is expected to be ready when the games count. Metcalf will be looking for a bounce-back 2026 season after he produced just 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns across 15 regular-season contests last season, his first season with the Steelers. Metcalf is facing added competition for targets in the form of Michael Pittman (hamstring), who is also expected to be ready for the Week 1 opener. |
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Starting season on IR
Mon, Aug 31, 2026, 1:59 PM
Elliott (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve by the Steelers on Sunday with a designation to return, Teresa Varley of the team's official website reports.
Analysis: Elliott suffered a pair of knee injuries in 2025, the latter of which sidelined him for the last two-plus months of the campaign. The safety was able to return to practice in late July, and he registered four total tackles (three solo) during the preseason. It's unclear if Elliott is still dealing with a knee issue or something new, but he will now be forced to miss at least four contests to begin the regular season. |
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Activated from active/PUP list
Sun, Aug 30, 2026, 5:46 PM
The Steelers activated Porter (back) from the active/PUP list Sunday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Porter opened training camp on the active/PUP list due to a back injury and missed the entirety of the 2026 preseason. The cornerback appears healthy and ready to play amidst trade rumors. Assuming Porter stays with the Steelers, he should be all set to start at outside cornerback across from Jamel Dean in the Week 1 game against the Falcons. |
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Mason Rudolph Mason Rudolph DNP on Thursday
Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 11:08 PM
Rudolph did not play in Thursday night's preseason finale against the Bills.
Analysis: Rudolph has likely already secured the backup quarterback role behind Aaron Rodgers to start the 2026 regular season. Thursday night's contest once again saw a half of Will Howard (head) and a half of Drew Allar at quarterback, leaving Rudolph to rest with Rodgers as they await the regular season. |
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Will Howard Will Howard Has possible concussion
Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 10:00 PM
Howard (head) is being evaluated for a potential concussion after exiting Thursday's preseason finale against the Bills, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Howard played the entire first half, completing nine of his 15 pass attempts for 69 yards and two touchdowns with just one interception. The quarterback also took three sacks for 22 yards before exiting the game at the half. With Sunday's cutdown approaching, Drew Allar's nine of 18 for 88 yards and no touchdowns, picks or sacks may not have inspired much confidence either. The No. 3 role behind Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph may default to Allar if Howard is indeed suffering from a significant head injury. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Won't play Thursday
Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 5:22 PM
Rodgers isn't in uniform for Thursday's preseason contest at Buffalo, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Rodgers thus won't get any in-game reps with Pittsburgh's top wide receiver duo of DK Metcalf (hamstring) and Michael Pittman (hamstring) ahead of the regular season. Because both Metcalf and Pittman returned to the field Monday, the trio will continue to build a rapport during practices in advance of a Week 1 matchup with the Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 13. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Agrees to restructured contract
Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 9:02 AM
Metcalf (undisclosed) has agreed to a restructured contract with the Steelers, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Metcalf signed a four-year, $132 million contract with the Steelers in March of 2025, and the revamp of the deal coverts a portion of his base salary into a signing bonus while opening up "nearly $18 million" in 2026 cap space for Pittsburgh. Metcalf has been slowed by an unspecified injury during training camp, but he practiced Monday and will be aiming to bounce back after finishing with a career-low 850 receiving yards over 15 regular-season games in 2025. |
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Catches on with Pittsburgh
Mon, Aug 24, 2026, 7:59 PM
The Steelers signed Guilbeau (undisclosed) to a contract Monday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Guilbeau signed with the Panthers in May as an undrafted free agent before being let go with a non-football injury designation in late July. He appears to have fully recovered from his undisclosed injury and will have the opportunity to audition in front of the Steelers' coaching staff for a spot on the 53-man roster or practice squad for the upcoming regular season. |
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Returns to practice
Mon, Aug 24, 2026, 7:57 PM
Iheanachor (shoulder) returned to practice with the Steelers on Monday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Iheanachor was able to practice for the first time since suffering a shoulder injury Aug. 6. The 2026 first-round pick now has a chance to play in Thursday's preseason finale versus Buffalo. |
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