| News |
|---|
|
Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Sitting out third preseason game
Tue, Aug 19, 2025, 3:01 PM
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Rodgers is among key starters who will be held out of Thursday's preseason finale against the Panthers, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Rodgers will sit out a third consecutive preseason game, as will No. 1 receiver DK Metcalf and star pass rushers T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward. The veteran quarterback will have to wait Sunday, Sept. 7 to take on his former team, the Jets, on the road and make his debut in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's scheme. In his stead, Mason Rudolph will start a third straight preseason game under center. |
|
Calvin Austin Calvin Austin Limited work Monday
Mon, Aug 18, 2025, 5:01 PM
Austin (abdomen) was limited to sideline work during Monday's training camp practice, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Austin continues to work through an abdominal injury from early August that has forced him to miss the Steelers' first two preseason games. He's unlikely to play in Thursday's exhibition contest against the Panthers, and the third-year wideout's status for the Steelers' regular-season opener against the Jets on Sunday, Sept. 7 needs to be monitored. If Austin were to continue to miss time, that would open the door for Robert Woods, Scotty Miller and Roman Wilson to fill in as the WR2 behind DK Metcalf. |
|
Ben Skowronek Ben Skowronek Dealing with toe injury
Mon, Aug 18, 2025, 11:17 AM
Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said Monday that Skowronek is dealing with a toe injury, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Skowronek didn't play in Saturday's preseason game after catching just one pass for three yards in Pittsburgh's exhibition opener. The veteran wideout is trying to hold on to one of the Steelers' final roster spots at the position behind DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson. |
|
Kaleb Johnson Kaleb Johnson Plays behind Gainwell
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 10:37 PM
Johnson rushed the ball 11 times for 50 yards in Saturday's 17-14 preseason loss to the Buccaneers. He made one reception on one target for nine yards.
Analysis: Johnson entered the game after Kenneth Gainwell and played deep into the third quarter, while Jaylen Warren rested. Johnson found running room difficult to come by for much of the contest, though he did rip off gains of 14 and nine yards on the ground. While his usage behind Gainwell suggests there is still plenty of room for Johnson to improve, he did seemingly take a step forward relative to his first preseason contest. |
|
Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Not on track to play Saturday
Thu, Aug 14, 2025, 2:58 PM
Coach Mike Tomlin noted Thursday that the same players (with the possible exception of LB Nick Herbig) who sat out last weekend's game against the Jaguars -- a group that included Warren -- are not in line to see action in this Saturday's game against the Buccaneers, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com and Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site report.
Analysis: Along with Warren, that's a group that includes QB Aaron Rodgers, WRs DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin (abdomen) and TEs Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith (knee). Meanwhile, rookie RB Kaleb Johnson is on track to see snaps Saturday, as he did versus Jacksonville, per Pryor. As the regular season approaches, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic suggests that Warren likely will get the first chance to be the Steelers' lead back early on, but Johnson should remain in the mix, nonetheless, with Kenneth Gainwell on hand as well. |
|
Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Won't play Saturday
Thu, Aug 14, 2025, 12:39 PM
Rodgers is among the Steelers' key players not in line to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Buccaneers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: With regard to the team's plans for Saturday's contest, coach Mike Tomlin indicated that the same players (with the possible exception of LB Nick Herbig) who didn't play last weekend against the Jaguars won't face Tampa Bay, per Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site. Apart from Rodgers, that's a group that includes RB Jaylen Warren, WRs DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin (abdomen) and TEs Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith (knee). Beyond that, Rodgers is no lock to see any snaps in Pittsburgh's Aug. 21 preseason finale against the Panthers. Meanwhile, Mason Rudolph is slated to start at QB this Saturday for the second straight contest, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes. |
|
Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Expects to play this week
Thu, Aug 14, 2025, 8:57 AM
Warren suggested Tuesday that he expects to play in Saturday's preseason game against Tampa Bay.
Analysis: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin hadn't announced anything as of Thursday morning, but it would follow his pattern from past seasons if he played most of his healthy starters in the second preseason game. While it remains to be seen if Warren is technically a starter come Week 1, there's no doubt he'll be a big part of the offense. Starter or not, his workload will partially depend on the progress of rookie Kaleb Johnson, who took nine touches for 26 yards in the preseason opener while playing extensively with Pittsburgh's backups. The presence of QB Aaron Rodgers could also be a factor, as he has a well-documented preference for veteran teammates and recently told reporters that he thinks Warren can be a three-down back, per Nick Farabaugh and John Luciew of Penn Live. That said, Rodgers' preferences might also work in favor of free-agent addition Kenneth Gainwell, another veteran RB with plenty of experience on passing downs. |
|
Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith Not practicing
Tue, Aug 12, 2025, 3:15 PM
Smith (knee) missed practice Tuesday, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin downplayed the injury after Smith's early exit from practice last Tuesday. The tight end took part in a light, non-padded practice the following day, but it seems he's still being held out from more strenuous sessions. Smith has plenty of time to get right before Week 1, at which point he and Pat Freiermuth will form one of the better TE duos in the league. |
|
Calvin Austin Calvin Austin Dealing with abdominal injury
Tue, Aug 12, 2025, 10:22 AM
Austin has missed practice recently due to a minor abdominal muscle injury, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Austin has missed over a week of practice, as well as last Saturday's preseason opener against the Jaguars, due to what's now been revealed as a minor abdominal muscle issue. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has only spoken vaguely of Austin's injury, though he has said it's nothing that he expects to impact the fourth-year wideout's availability for Week 1. Austin will have two more opportunities to get on the field for preseason action, with his first such chance coming Saturday against the Buccaneers. |
|
Ben Skowronek Ben Skowronek Minimal output in preseason win
Sat, Aug 9, 2025, 11:08 PM
Skowronek secured his lone target for three yards during Saturday's 31-25 preseason win over the Jaguars.
Analysis: Skowronek saw a limited role with the Steelers in 2024, securing all five of his targets for 69 yards across 10 regular-season appearances. He re-signed with the team during the offseason, but if he makes Pittsburgh's 53-man roster in 2025, he's unlikely to have a fantasy-relevant role. |
|
Scotty Miller Scotty Miller Productive in preseason opener
Sat, Aug 9, 2025, 11:03 PM
Miller secured all four of his targets for 47 yards during Saturday's 31-25 preseason win over the Jaguars.
Analysis: Miller had a limited role over 13 regular-season appearances with Pittsburgh last year, securing five of nine targets for 69 yards. However, he had a strong showing during Saturday's preseason opener, tying for the team lead in targets and receptions while recording the second-highest yardage total among the team's receivers. The Steelers lost George Pickens during the offseason but acquired DK Metcalf, so Miller will likely continue to have limited upside in 2025. |
|
Connor Heyward Connor Heyward Racks up 17 receiving yards
Sat, Aug 9, 2025, 10:59 PM
Heyward secured two of three targets for 17 yards during Saturday's 31-25 preseason win over the Jaguars.
Analysis: Although Heyward has appeared in all 17 regular-season games in each of his first three years in the NFL, his already limited role took a hit in 2024, as he secured just six of eight targets for 40 yards and a touchdown. The Steelers acquired Jonnu Smith during the offseason while retaining Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, so Heyward will likely be forced to settle for a minimal role on offense if he makes the 53-man roster. |
|
Darnell Washington Darnell Washington Finds end zone in preseason win
Sat, Aug 9, 2025, 10:56 PM
Washington secured his lone target for a 19-yard touchdown during Saturday's 31-25 preseason win over Jacksonville.
Analysis: Washington started in Saturday's preseason opener and put the team on the board with a touchdown reception to cap off Pittsburgh's first drive of the game. While the 2023 third-rounder saw his role grow slightly last season, he'll have increased competition for targets behind Pat Freiermuth in 2025 after the Steelers acquired Jonnu Smith from the Dolphins. |
|
Roman Wilson Roman Wilson Two catches in preseason opener
Sat, Aug 9, 2025, 10:52 PM
Wilson recorded two catches on two targets for 24 yards in Saturday's 31-25 preseason win over the Jaguars.
Analysis: Wilson is fighting for a role in Pittsburgh's offense after missing all of his rookie season with lower-body injuries. He's gotten mixed reviews during camp but came into the contest with some momentum, and that continued Saturday as he recorded catches of 19 and five yards from Mason Rudolph. The Steelers are likely to use an unusual amount of two-tight end formations, leaving Wilson's role uncertain heading into the regular season. |
|
Brandon Johnson Brandon Johnson Two receptions against Jacksonville
Sat, Aug 9, 2025, 10:50 PM
Johnson secured both of his targets for 12 yards during Saturday's 31-25 preseason win over the Jaguars.
Analysis: Johnson spent most of last season on Pittsburgh's practice squad, and he remained in the organization during the offseason after signing a reserve/future contract with the team. While the Steelers parted ways with George Pickens during the offseason, they acquired DK Metcalf, and it seems unlikely that Johnson will see consistent time on the team's 53-man roster. |
|
Evan Hull Evan Hull Limited work in preseason opener
Sat, Aug 9, 2025, 10:46 PM
Hull rushed six times for seven yards while securing one of three targets for six yards during Saturday's 31-25 preseason win over Jacksonville.
Analysis: Hull spent most of the past two seasons on the Colts' practice squad but signed a reserve/future contract with Pittsburgh in January. He didn't make much of an impact in Saturday's preseason opener, and it seems most likely that he's simply competing for a spot on the Steelers' practice squad ahead of the regular season. |
|
Skylar Thompson Skylar Thompson Stellar in preseason opener
Sat, Aug 9, 2025, 10:38 PM
Thompson completed 20 of 28 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns while rushing once for three yards during Saturday's 31-25 preseason win over the Jaguars.
Analysis: The 2022 seventh-rounder seems like a long shot to make the Steelers' 53-man roster to begin the regular season behind Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph and Will Howard (hand), but Thompson made a strong impression during Saturday's preseason opener. The 28-year-old should continue to get increased reps while Howard is sidelined, but it seems most likely that Thompson is competing for a spot on Pittsburgh's practice squad or a roster spot elsewhere. |
|
Kaleb Johnson Kaleb Johnson Little production in pro debut
Sat, Aug 9, 2025, 10:07 PM
Johnson rushed the ball eight times for 20 yards in Saturday's 31-25 preseason win over the Jaguars. He recorded one reception on two targets for six yards.
Analysis: Jaylen Warren was rested for the game, giving Johnson the chance to work as Pittsburgh's lead back early into the third quarter. Johnson found running room hard to come by -- his longest gain on the ground went for seven yards -- but he was able to pick up tough yardage on a few occasions. His work both in pass protection and as a pass catcher remains in question, but it was a decent pro debut for Johnson. |
|
Calvin Austin Calvin Austin Not in line to play Saturday
Fri, Aug 8, 2025, 12:50 PM
Austin (undisclosed) is not slated to play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Jaguars, Brooke Pryor of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Austin has been dealing with an undisclosed injury, but with the Steelers planning to rest numerous starters Saturday, the wideout may not have played anyway. When available, Austin profiles as the team's No. 2 WR behind top option, DK Metcalf. |
|
Will Howard Will Howard Could play in preseason finale
Thu, Aug 7, 2025, 11:55 AM
Howard (hand) hasn't been ruled out from playing in Pittsburgh's final preseason game, Mark Kaboly of 93.7 The Fan Pittsburgh reports.
Analysis: Howard fractured a bone in his right hand Tuesday, which was expected to keep him out for the entire preseason. However, head coach Mike Tomlin said Howard could make an appearance in Pittsburgh's preseason finale Aug. 21 against Carolina. The 2025 sixth-round pick is competing with Mason Rudolph for the No. 2 role and was on track to have a big workload in the preseason. Skylar Thompson will get more reps in Howard's absence. |
Connect With Us:
