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Kaden Wetjen Kaden Wetjen DNP Saturday
Sat, Aug 15, 2026, 1:31 PM
Wetjen (undisclosed) did not participate in Saturday's practice, Alan Saunders of steelersnow.com reports.
Analysis: The rookie fourth-rounder likely suffered an injury in Thursday night's preseason opener against the Packers. Wetjen had a massive preseason debut, catching two balls for 79 yards and a touchdown. It is unclear how severe the rookie's injury is but if he cannot return to action soon, Max Hurleman may see more opportunities with the offense next Friday against the Jets. |
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Michael Pittman Jr. Michael Pittman Jr. Unlikely to practice this week
Sat, Aug 15, 2026, 11:02 AM
Head coach Mike McCarthy relayed Saturday that both Pittman (leg) and DK Metcalf (undisclosed) will be "hard pressed" to participate in practice this week, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Both Pittman and Metcalf were sidelined for the Steelers' 28-9 preseason win over the Packers on Thursday, and it looks like both veteran wideouts are unlikely to play in this Friday's exhibition contest against the Jets. Pittman has been working through a right leg injury, but there's no indication that he won't be available for the Steelers' Week 1 clash against the Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 13. If he isn't able to play against the Jets, then Pittman's last chance to see preseason action would be Thursday, Aug. 27 against the Bills. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Not expected to practice this week
Sat, Aug 15, 2026, 10:58 AM
Head coach Mike McCarthy said Saturday that Metcalf (undisclosed) will be "hard pressed to work this week" in training camp practice, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Metcalf is working through an unspecified injury, and he joined fellow wideout Michael Pittman (leg) on the sidelines for the Steelers' preseason opener against the Packers on Thursday. It looks like both Metcalf and Pittman are facing uphill battles to return to practice this week, making it unlikely that either of them suit up for this Friday's exhibition contest against the Jets. |
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Brandon Smith Brandon Smith Picks up injury Thursday
Sat, Aug 15, 2026, 10:19 AM
Smith did not participate in Saturday's training camp practice due to an unspecified injury, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reports.
Analysis: Smith appeared to sustain the injury while on punt coverage during the Steelers' 28-9 preseason win over the Packers on Thursday. His practice participation over the coming week will determine whether he'll be cleared to play in the Steelers' second exhibition game against the Jets on Friday. |
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Signs four-year extension
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 9:09 PM
Benton and the Steelers agreed to a four-year, $72 million contract extension Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: The deal makes Benton the highest paid defensive lineman in franchise history. The 2023 second-rounder put together a solid 2025 campaign, finishing the regular season with 51 tackles (25 solo), including 5.5 sacks, one pass defense and one forced fumble across 17 regular-season games. Benton should see a heavy workload on the defensive line while working in rotation with veteran Cameron Heyward and 2025 first-rounder Derrick Harmon. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Idle for preseason opener
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 6:44 PM
Dowdle did not play in Thursday's 28-9 preseason win over the Packers, Chris Harlan of Triblive.com reports.
Analysis: Neither Dowdle nor Jaylen Warren suited up for Thursday's game, which saw Lew Nichols and rookie seventh-rounder Eli Heidenreich handle the bulk of the carries. Warren is listed as the Steelers' RB1 on the first unofficial depth chart that was released Aug. 5, but head coach Mike McCarthy wants to balance the workload between Warren and Dowdle, per Brian Batko of the team's official site. Dowdle has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his last two seasons, but he saw his usage dip over the last few weeks of the 2025 season. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Doesn't play Thursday
Fri, Aug 14, 2026, 6:26 PM
Warren did not play in the Steelers' 28-9 preseason win over the Packers on Thursday, Chris Harlan of Triblive.com reports.
Analysis: Both Warren and Rico Dowdle observed Thursday's game from the sidelines while depth backfield options Lew Nichols and Eli Heidenreich combined for 19 of the Steelers' 28 carries. Warren is listed ahead of Dowdle on the Steelers' first unofficial depth chart that was released Aug. 5, but the duo could see similar workloads in a balanced backfield, per Brian Batko of the team's official site. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Officially DNP on Thursday
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 9:24 PM
Rodgers did not suit up for Thursday night's preseason opener against the Packers, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: According to coach Mike McCarthy, he was prepared to play Rodgers in the exhibition but opted against it since Michael Pittman (leg) wasn't available. McCarthy said he only would've used Rodgers if both Pittman and DK Metcalf (undisclosed) were able to play. Rodgers' next chance for game action will be next Friday against another one of his former teams, the Jets. |
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Placed on injured reserve
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 6:31 PM
The Steelers placed Lee (undisclosed) on injured reserve Thursday.
Analysis: Lee suffered an unknown injury during training camp, and it will cost the defensive tackle his season. Now on injured reserve, the 2024 sixth-rounder is set to miss the entirety of the 2026 season. In Lee's absence, Dean Lowry and Anthony Goodlow may see more snaps on the defensive line throughout the season. |
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Michael Pittman Jr. Michael Pittman Jr. Not slated to play preseason opener
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 5:34 PM
Pittman isn't in line to suit up for Thursday's preseason contest against the Packers, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Pittman missed practice this week due to an right leg injury, and with DK Metcalf (undisclosed) also in street clothes Thursday, the Steelers' top two wide receivers won't be available to the offense. Pittman's next opportunity to log some exhibition action and potentially get some work in with QB Aaron Rodgers is Friday, Aug. 21 versus the Jets. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Not in uniform for preseason opener
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 5:31 PM
Metcalf (undisclosed) isn't in uniform for Thursday's preseason opener against the Packers, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: The same applies to fellow WR Michael Pittman (leg), with Steelers playing it safe with their top two wideouts, as they've been managing injuries of late. Metcalf's next chance to see game action will arrive Aug. 21 against the Jets, and his absence, along with Pittman's on Thursday, will open up opportunities for those competing for depth chart slotting and/or roster spots to see added snaps versus Green Bay. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Not in line to suit up Thursday
Thu, Aug 13, 2026, 5:28 PM
Rodgers isn't slated to play in Thursday's preseason game versus the Packers, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: With Rodgers in street clothes ahead of the contest, the Steelers will turn over the offense to Mason Rudolph (likely 1-to-2 series), Will Howard (the rest of the first half) and Drew Allar (after halftime), per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. Coach Mike McCarthy has suggested he would like Rodgers to get some exhibition reps this month, so the quarterback's next chance to do so is Friday, Aug. 21 versus the Jets. |
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Returns to Pittsburgh
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 8:12 PM
Roberts and the Steelers agreed on a one-year contract Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Roberts will return to the Steelers after spending the 2023 and 2024 campaigns with the team before recording 90 total tackles (42 solo), a fumble recovery and a pass defensed over 17 regular-season contests with Las Vegas last season. The 32-year-old will provide Pittsburgh with another veteran reserve option behind Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen at inside linebacker in 2026. |
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Roman Wilson Roman Wilson Working as No. 3 WR
Wed, Aug 12, 2026, 9:29 AM
Wilson has been the No. 3 wideout with Pittsburgh's first-team offense throughout most of training camp, according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic.
Analysis: The 2024 third-round pick has just 12 catches on 258 career snaps, but he's apparently making a strong case to stay ahead of rookie second-round pick Germie Bernard on the depth chart. With DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman locked in as the top two wide receivers, Wilson probably won't see many targets even if he has a steady role in three-wide sets. |
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Shifts to injured reserve
Tue, Aug 11, 2026, 6:51 PM
Thompson (undisclosed) reverted to injured reserve Tuesday after clearing waivers, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Thompson was waived by the Steelers on Monday with an injury designation and was not claimed by another team. As a result, he was moved to the team's IR, which forces him to sit for the entire 2026 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with the Steelers. |
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Germie Bernard Germie Bernard Chance to shine in preseason opener
Tue, Aug 11, 2026, 5:47 PM
Bernard will have the opportunity to work in an expanded role in Thursday's preseason opener against the Packers due to injuries to both Michael Pittman (right leg) and DK Metcalf (undisclosed), Jacob Punturi of SI.com reports.
Analysis: The Steelers released their initial depth chart Aug. 5, which had Roman Wilson pencilled in as the WR3 alongside Pittman and Metcalf while Bernard was listed as the No. 4 wideout. Bernard, a second-round selection of the Steelers in the 2026 NFL Draft, has been battling against Wilson for a spot on the first-team offense, and Thursday's preseason game will be stage in which both wideouts audition for a starting spot for the upcoming regular season, especially if both Pittman and Metcalf are sidelined against Green Bay. |
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Michael Pittman Jr. Michael Pittman Jr. Misses practice Tuesday
Tue, Aug 11, 2026, 1:05 PM
Pittman (right leg) didn't practice Tuesday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: The same applies to fellow WR DK Metcalf (undisclosed), according to QB Aaron Rodgers. As a result, there's a decent chance that both Pittman and Metcalf are held out of Thursday's preseason opener against the Packers, but there's been nothing so far to suggest that either player is managing anything too concerning. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Dealing with unspecified injury
Tue, Aug 11, 2026, 12:10 PM
Metcalf is managing an unspecified injury, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reports.
Analysis: In addition to Metcalf dealing with an injury, fellow WR Michael Pittman is also banged up, per QB Aaron Rodgers. Until added context arrives regarding the issues affecting Metcalf and Pittman surfaces, consider the Steelers' top WR duo day-to-day ahead of Thursday's preseason opener against the Packers. |
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Not practicing Monday
Mon, Aug 10, 2026, 7:56 PM
Iheanachor (shoulder) is not participating at the Steelers' training camp practice Monday, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: There's still no concrete timetable for Iheanachor's return to the field, but Pittsburgh may take a more conservative approach with the 2026 first-round pick. In his stead, Dylan Cook and Broderick Jones will be the clear favorites for reps with the first team at whichever tackle spot is open opposite 2024 first-rounder Troy Fautanu. |
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Cornell Powell Cornell Powell Back with Steelers
Mon, Aug 10, 2026, 6:16 PM
Pittsburgh signed Powell on Monday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Powell spent some time on the Steelers' practice squad last season before being cut back in December, but he's now getting a fresh start with the club. His last regular-season snaps at the NFL level came back in 2022 with Kansas City -- where he played predominantly on special teams -- but Powell produced a combined 63-909-8 line on 116 targets across 18 regular-season games with the UFL's DC Defenders over the last two springs. |
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