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Ben Skowronek Ben Skowronek Scores touchdown in Week 1 victory
Mon, Sep 8, 2025, 11:46 AM
Skowronek secured his lone target for a 22-yard touchdown in Sunday's 34-32 win over the Jets.
Analysis: Although Skowronek played just 10 offensive snaps during Sunday's regular-season opener, Aaron Rodgers found him late in the first quarter for the team's first touchdown of the year. It was encouraging to see Skowronek reach the end zone to open the regular season, but he'll likely have to compete with Roman Wilson and Scotty Miller for playing time behind DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin as the season progresses. |
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Roman Wilson Roman Wilson Not targeted in season opener
Mon, Sep 8, 2025, 11:43 AM
Wilson wasn't targeted during the Steelers' 34-32 win over the Jets on Sunday.
Analysis: Wilson had a minimal role for the Steelers when healthy in 2024, and he was utilized sparingly during Sunday's regular-season opener, playing just 10 offensive snaps in the Steelers' victory. The 2024 third-round pick has yet to be targeted in the NFL, and he could have trouble carving out much fantasy production in 2025 as long as DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin remain healthy. |
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Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith Finds end zone in team debut
Mon, Sep 8, 2025, 11:37 AM
Smith secured five of six targets for 15 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 34-32 win over the Jets.
Analysis: Although Smith didn't have a particularly efficient performance during his team debut Sunday, he led the Steelers in receptions while reaching the end zone just before halftime. Smith was on the field for 66 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps, which outpaced fellow tight end Pat Freiermuth, who played 50 percent of the snaps. While the duo will likely continue to split some playing time this year, Smith is coming off a career-best season with the Dolphins in 2024 in which he secured 88 of 111 targets for 884 yards and eight touchdowns, and he has some fantasy upside in 2025 if he can establish a rapport with Aaron Rodgers. |
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Pat Freiermuth Pat Freiermuth Tallies three receptions in victory
Mon, Sep 8, 2025, 11:32 AM
Freiermuth secured all three of his targets for 28 yards during Sunday's 34-32 win over the Jets.
Analysis: Freiermuth led the Steelers' tight ends in snap count over his first four seasons in the league, but he has increased competition for playing time in 2025 after the team acquired Jonnu Smith from the Dolphins. Smith was on the field for 66 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps in Week 1 compared to 50 percent for Freiermuth, and Smith also outpaced Freiermuth in targets (six) and receptions (five) while reaching the end zone once. However, Freiermuth was slightly more efficient from a yardage standpoint, averaging 9.3 yards per reception compared to 3.0 for Smith. While Freiermuth will likely continue to have a role in the Steelers' offense in 2025, his fantasy upside will presumably be more limited than it has been in previous seasons as long as Smith remains healthy. |
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Kenneth Gainwell Kenneth Gainwell Limited production in Week 1
Mon, Sep 8, 2025, 11:23 AM
Gainwell rushed seven times for 19 yards while securing three of four targets for four yards during Sunday's 34-32 win over the Jets.
Analysis: While rookie Kaleb Johnson drew plenty of buzz during training camp and preseason action as a complementary back alongside Jaylen Warren, Gainwell was on the field for 54 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps in Sunday's regular-season opener, while Johnson played just two offensive snaps. Gainwell's playing time was encouraging, but he was inefficient with his opportunities. As long as Pittsburgh's backfield remains relatively healthy, it seems unlikely that the 26-year-old will have much fantasy upside in 2025, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Johnson take some of Gainwell's snaps as the season progresses. |
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Kaleb Johnson Kaleb Johnson Minimal involvement in debut
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 11:24 PM
Johnson rushed the ball once for -2 yards in Sunday's 34-32 win over the Jets. He also returned five kickoffs for 132 yards.
Analysis: Johnson clearly served as Pittsburgh's third running back, with his only rushing attempt coming late in the third quarter. His primary contribution came as a kick returner, though he narrowly escaped disaster when a teammate recovered his fumble on a return late in the first quarter. Johnson had an uneven training camp due to his work as a pass blocker and receiver, so he'll likely continue to be brought along slowly behind Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Makes impact as receiver
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 8:23 PM
Warren rushed the ball 11 times for 37 yards in Sunday's 34-32 win over the Jets. He added two receptions on two targets for 22 yards and a touchdown.
Analysis: Warren led the Steelers' backfield as expected, though he only out-carried Kenneth Gainwell 11-7. He had a disastrous first half, recording just four carries for nine yards, but he managed to make an impact in the second half with a long reception of 17 yards late in the third quarter, and he later capped the same drive with a five-yard touchdown catch. Warren managed a decent fantasy performance all told, but he'll be reliant on big plays and touchdowns rather than volume, even as the lead back in Pittsburgh. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Racks up 83 yards in Steelers debut
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 6:37 PM
Metcalf recorded four receptions on seven targets for 83 yards in Sunday's 34-32 win over the Jets.
Analysis: Metcalf led the Steelers in targets and yards in his debut with the team, with the majority of his production coming after the catch. He logged long gains of 31 and 23 yards on quick screens in the first quarter before working over the middle for an 18-yard gain late in the third quarter. Jonnu Smith and Calvin Austin were also heavily targeted in the offense, so Metcalf may have inconsistent results. However, he had a strong Week 1 performance with his new team. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Four touchdowns in revenge game
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 6:20 PM
Rodgers completed 22 of 30 passes for 244 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 34-32 win over the Jets.
Analysis: The Steelers offense wasn't as efficient as the point total suggests -- the unit averaged only 5.4 yards per play-- but Rodgers averaged 8.1 yards per attempt and made up for an ineffective ground game. He often got the ball out of his hands quickly, with DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin excelling after the catch. Rodgers also did plenty on his own to take down his former team, delivering touchdowns from 22, 18, five and three yards away to four different receivers. It was an excellent debut with Pittsburgh for Rodgers, and he'll now lead the team into a Week 2 matchup against Seattle. |
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Skylar Thompson Skylar Thompson Inactive, serving as emergency QB
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 11:05 AM
Thompson (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's Week 1 clash against the Seahawks but is listed as Pittsburgh's emergency third quarterback, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Thompson landed on the injury report Friday due to a hamstring issue, but he's at least healthy enough to be available should both Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph exit with an injury, illness or ejection. Thompson is third in Pittsburgh's QB pecking order, so he'd likely have been inactive as the emergency third quarterback even had the hamstring issue not popped up. His participation (or lack thereof) in practice next week should provide insight about his progression from the injury. |
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Skylar Thompson Skylar Thompson Questionable due to hamstring
Fri, Sep 5, 2025, 1:58 PM
Thompson (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Thompson popped up on Friday's injury report with a hamstring injury that limited his practice participation Friday. Even if he gains clearance to play, Thompson isn't expected to be anything more than the emergency third quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph. |
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Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith Ready for Week 1
Wed, Sep 3, 2025, 3:59 PM
Smith (knee) is not listed on Wednesday's injury report, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Smith missed time early August due to a knee injury, but he returned to practice Aug. 20 and is now at full health as Sunday's regular-season opener against the Jets approaches. Fresh off a career-best campaign in which he tallied an 88-884-8 receiving line across 17 regular-season appearances with the Dolphins, Smith is now positioned to work alongside Pat Freiermuth as one of the Steelers' top tight ends. While the Steelers don't have much in the way of proven pass-catches for quarterback Aaron Rodgers behind WR DK Metcalf, the fact that Smith and Freiermuth will split snaps is a notable barrier to either tight end surfacing as a consistent weekly fantasy option. |
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Calvin Austin Calvin Austin Ducks injury report
Wed, Sep 3, 2025, 3:36 PM
Austin (abdomen) isn't listed on the injury report for Sunday's game against the Jets.
Analysis: Austin was out for most of August but still figures to reprise his 2024 role as the slot man in three-wide formations. Playing time in heavier formations would help his fantasy value, but that may be a big ask for one of the league's smallest players. Austin figures to run a lot of his routes this Sunday against Jets cornerback Michael Carter, who struggled through an injury-plagued 2024 campaign after previously earning a reputation (and contract) as one of the league's top nickelbacks. |
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Calvin Austin Calvin Austin On track for season opener
Tue, Sep 2, 2025, 11:37 AM
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that he expects Austin (abdomen) to be available for Sunday's season opener versus the Jets, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Austin didn't play in any preseason games while tending to an abdominal injury, but he's apparently made good progress in his recovery over the past few weeks and should be ready to suit up Sunday. Before he's officially cleared for Week 1, he'll likely need to put in a full practice by Friday. Per Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com, the 2022 fourth-round pick is listed as a starter at receiver alongside DK Metcalf in the latest unofficial depth chart. In addition to potentially being limited by the injury and getting pushed for playing time by second-year wideout Roman Wilson, Austin's snap and target counts could be suppressed if the Steelers lean heavily on two-tight end sets featuring Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith (knee). |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Pens two-year extension
Mon, Sep 1, 2025, 10:05 AM
Warren and the Steelers agreed to terms Monday on a two-year contract extension, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Pittsburgh initially inked Warren via his second-year restricted free agent tender in March, a one-year deal, but per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette his new deal extends through the 2027 season. That provides the Steelers with some long-term backfield clarity, with Warren and rookie third-round pick Kaleb Johnson positioned as a running back tandem for the foreseeable future. For the 2025 campaign Kenneth Gainwell, who is on a one-year deal, could also have a consistent role. Warren will be the favorite to operate as Pittsburgh's starter early in the regular season, and beginning Sunday on the road versus the Jets. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Warren's two-year deal includes over a $7 million contract for 2025 and $12 million guaranteed. |
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Will Howard Will Howard Sent to IR
Thu, Aug 28, 2025, 10:12 AM
The Steelers placed Howard (hand) on injured reserve Thursday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Howard will have to miss at least the first four games of the regular season as he works his way back from a fractured bone in his left hand suffered during practice Aug. 5. That injury caused him to miss the entire preseason. Once healthy, the rookie sixth-round pick figures to operate as Pittsburgh's emergency No. 3 quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph. |
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Brandon Johnson Brandon Johnson Reverts to IR
Wed, Aug 27, 2025, 7:30 PM
Johnson (foot) reverted to Pittsburgh's injured reserve list Wednesday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Analysis: Johnson wasn't picked up by another team after the Steelers waived him with a foot issue Tuesday, so he's now going back to their injured reserve list. He'll have to stay there for the whole 2025 campaign unless he can negotiate an injury settlement with Pittsburgh. |
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Will Howard Will Howard Should practice soon
Mon, Aug 25, 2025, 2:07 PM
Coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that Howard (hand) is expected to be a full participant in practice "soon," Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.
Analysis: Howard broke a bone in his hand during practice Aug. 5 and was unable to play in the preseason. He's expected to open the season behind Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph on the Steelers' QB depth chart. |
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Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith Returns to practice
Sat, Aug 23, 2025, 12:09 PM
Smith (knee) returned to practice Saturday, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Smith left practice early Aug. 5 and hasn't done much since then, but his return for the first practice after Pittsburgh's final preseason game suggests he's on track to play Week 1 against the Jets. Uncertainty about his role remains the larger concern for fantasy, with Pat Freiermuth offering tough competition for playing time in single-TE formations. |
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Ben Skowronek Ben Skowronek Minimal playing time Thursday
Fri, Aug 22, 2025, 11:24 AM
Skowronek (toe) played two snaps on special teams during Pittsburgh's 19-10 preseason win over the Panthers on Thursday.
Analysis: Skowronek is back to full health after having sat out the Steelers' second preseason matchup due to a toe injury, but he didn't get any opportunities on offense during the exhibition finale. The 28-year-old wideout is competing to hang on to a reserve role as next week's cut-downs to a 53-man roster approach. |
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