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Won't suit up Sunday
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 8:17 PM
Dunker (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Analysis: Dunker appeared as limited on Thursday's practice report. The offensive guard was downgraded to a non-participant in Friday's session, drawing an out designation for Sunday's contest. It is unclear how long the new knee injury will sideline the depth option. |
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Uncertain to play in Week 3
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 5:45 PM
Dean (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Analysis: Dean didn't practice Wednesday, but despite his limited participation Thursday and Friday, he will carry an injury designation heading into the AFC North clash with the Bengals. Joey Porter (undisclosed), who is also questionable, might return in Week 3, so his presence would help fill the void if Dean isn't available. Asante Samuel would also continue to receive more playing time. |
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Questionable to play Sunday
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 5:35 PM
Porter (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Analysis: Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Sunday that the Steelers were expecting Porter to make his 2026 debut in Week 3, though he is still officially listed as questionable. The 26-year-old, who has also recently expressed his displeasure regarding his contract situation, may not see a full workload even if he's cleared to suit up. If that's the case, Asante Samuel could continue to be more involved, especially if Jamel Dean (ankle), who is also questionable, can't get on the field versus Cincinnati. |
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Michael Pittman Jr. Michael Pittman Jr. Listed questionable for Sunday
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 3:06 PM
Pittman (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game, according to Alan Saunders of Steelers Now.
Analysis: A limited practice participant throughout the week, Pittman appears truly questionable ahead of a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday. If he can't go, Germie Bernard figures to fill in again alongside DK Metcalf and Roman Wilson in an offense that's largely worked out of three-wide formations this season. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Ruled out for Week 3
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 3:01 PM
Dowdle (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's gam at Cincinnati, Alan Saunders of Steelers Now reports.
Analysis: Dowdle missed the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh's Week 2 contest and hasn't practiced since. Jaylen Warren (shoulder) also picked up an injury last week, but he's listed as questionable and seemingly expected to carry the load in Pittsburgh's backfield this week, per Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com. The Steelers then have a quick turnaround with a Thursday matchup against Cleveland. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Listed as questionable, should play
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 2:55 PM
Warren (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals after being a limited participant in Friday's practice, Alan Saunders of Steelers Now reports.
Analysis: A limited practice participant throughout the week, Warren gets a 'questionable' tag but may in fact be headed for his largest workload of the season. Backfield mate Rico Dowdle (toe) has been ruled out, and Steelers RBs coach Ramon Chinyoung suggested Friday that Warren will play, per Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com. The Steelers otherwise have Travis Homer and Lew Nichols (practice squad) as their top alternatives, which could lead to Warren seeing more work on early downs while Homer takes over some of the passing snaps. An early kickoff at 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff allows Warren's fantasy managers to confirm his availability when inactive lists are released Sunday morning around 11:30 a.m. ET. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Not practicing Friday
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 10:53 AM
Dowdle (toe) was not spotted during the open viewing window of Friday's practice, Ray Fittipaldo reports.
Analysis: With Dowdle now absent from the open portion of practice after not participating Wednesday or Thursday, he's looking shaky for Sunday's matchup with the Bengals. Jaylen Warren (shoulder) is also banged up, but he seems to be doing better than Dowdle and could thus be tasked with a large workload for Week 3. The Steelers also have Travis Homer on the roster and Lew Nichols on the practice squad as backfield alternatives, though Homer has largely played special teams throughout his NFL career, while Nichols is a 2023 seventh-round pick with one regular-season appearance to his name. |
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Michael Pittman Jr. Michael Pittman Jr. Limited again Thursday
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 3:50 PM
Pittman (foot) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Alan Saunders of Steelers Now reports.
Analysis: Pittman has put forth consecutive limited practice sessions after sitting out Pittsburgh's Week 2 loss to the Patriots. The former Colts wide receiver has one more chance to upgrade to full participation before Pittsburgh releases game statuses for Sunday's game against the Bengals following Friday's practice. Pittman had a team-high 58 receiving yards in his Steelers debut against the Falcons in Week 1. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle DNP again Thursday
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 3:48 PM
Dowdle (toe) didn't practice Thursday, Alan Saunders of Steelers Now reports.
Analysis: Dowdle has been sidelined for Pittsburgh's first two practices leading up to Sunday's Week 3 matchup against the AFC North rival Bengals, though he at least managed to shed his walking boot Thursday. Jaylen Warren (shoulder) was listed as limited both Wednesday and Thursday. If Dowdle's unable to practice Friday, he'll likely sit out Sunday, which could lead to more touches for Warren in a Steelers backfield that started out close to an even split when both running backs were healthy. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Limited Thursday while Dowdle's DNP
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 3:43 PM
Warren (shoulder) was a limited participant at practice Thursday while Rico Dowdle (toe) didn't practice, Alan Saunders of Steelers Now reports.
Analysis: For a second consecutive day, Warren mustered up some level of practice participation while Dowdle didn't practice at all. Dowdle shed his walking boot Thursday, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, but the veteran running back appears to be fighting an uphill battle to suit up Sunday against the Bengals. If Warren ultimately gets the green light to play and Dowdle doesn't, the former could be in for a busy day. Third-stringer Eli Heidenreich has been practicing without limitations. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Remains out of uniform Thursday
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 11:56 AM
Dowdle (toe) was out of his walking boot Thursday but wasn't in uniform at practice, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Dowdle took a step in the right direction by shedding the boot, but his status for Sunday's game against the Bengals remains murky at best since he has yet to practice this week. Jaylen Warren (shoulder), who was listed as a limited participant Wednesday, was in uniform again Thursday. If Dowdle ultimately sits, Warren would be in line to lead Pittsburgh's backfield, with Eli Heidenreich on hand in a change-of-pace role. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Practicing again Thursday
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 11:52 AM
Warren (shoulder) was in uniform and participating during the portion of Thursday's practice open to the media, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reports.
Analysis: Warren was listed as a limited participant Wednesday and it remains to be seen whether he's able to upgrade to full participation Thursday, but it's nonetheless encouraging to see the running back practicing in some capacity. The same can't be said for Rico Dowdle (toe), who wasn't in uniform at Thursday's practice. Assuming Warren is ultimately cleared to play Sunday against the Bengals, he could see an uptick in touches if Dowdle sits. Eli Heidenreich rounds out Pittsburgh's running back depth chart. |
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DNP Wednesday
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 6:49 PM
Dean (ankle) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Dean likely suffered his ankle injury in the Steelers' 20-3 loss to the Patriots on Sunday. The cornerback will need to upgrade his participation level in the remaining two practices of the week to avoid an injury designation for Sunday's divisional matchup with the Bengals. |
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Still limited at practice
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 6:37 PM
Porter (undisclosed) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Just as he was a week prior, Porter was listed on Pittsburgh's injury report Wednesday with a "non-injury/conditioning" designation. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Steelers are planning for Porter to return to action in Week 3. With that said, his conditioning may not be the only important factor -- he has also expressed dissatisfaction with the team about an inability to get a contract extension in place in recent weeks. Pittsburgh's official injury reports Thursday and Friday could provide further insight into Porter's Week 3 status as far as his physical condition is concerned. |
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Michael Pittman Jr. Michael Pittman Jr. Officially limited to kick off Week 3
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 3:12 PM
Pittman (foot) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Just as head coach Mike McCarthy suggested would be the case prior to Wednesday's practice, Pittman kicked off Week 3 prep with a cap on his reps. After sitting out this past Sunday's 20-3 loss to the Patriots, Pittman will likely need to upgrade to full participation by Friday to avoid taking a designation into this weekend's matchup with the Bengals. If Pittman winds up missing a second straight game, the Steelers would have more reps available at receiver for Roman Wilson and Germie Bernard. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Limited in Wednesday's practice
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 3:10 PM
Warren (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Alan Saunders of Pittsburgh Sports Now reports.
Analysis: The Steelers have a banged-up backfield with Warren and Rico Dowdle (toe) both nursing ailments, but Warren was at least able to practice in limited fashion Wednesday. Warren appears to be trending in the right direction and may be tabbed for more work this week if Dowdle is unable to play. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle No practice to begin Week 3
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 3:09 PM
Dowdle (toe) was a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: As expected, Dowdle was a spectator to kick off Week 3 prep, after Mike DeFabo of The Athletic previously noted that the running back was sporting a walking boot on his right foot and didn't take part in the Steelers' team stretch prior to Wednesday's session. Head coach Mike McCarthy has yet to reveal the severity of the toe injury that forced Dowdle out of the Steelers' Week 2 loss to the Patriots, but the 28-year-old will likely need to get back on the practice field in some capacity by Friday to have a chance at suiting up this weekend against the Bengals. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Sitting out practice, sporting walking boot
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 12:17 PM
Dowdle (toe) isn't participating in practice Wednesday and was seen wearing a boot on his right foot, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Neither of the Steelers' top two backs appear to be practicing Wednesday, as Jaylen Warren was present for the session but didn't take part in the team stretch, per DeFabo. The Steelers' first Week 3 injury report will be released later Wednesday and should provide more clarity about Warren's absence, but at this stage, he still appears to be healthier than Dowdle, who exited in the second half of Sunday's 20-3 loss to the Patriots due to the toe injury. Dowdle will likely need to return to practice in some capacity by Friday to have a realistic shot at playing this weekend against the Bengals. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Idle for first Week 3 practice
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 12:01 PM
Warren wasn't involved in the open portion of Wednesday's practice and appears likely to be listed as a non-participant on the Steelers' first Week 3 injury report, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, Warren was present for the session, but his lack of involvement with his healthy teammates indicates that he's either receiving a veteran's rest day or is tending to an unreported injury. More information on Warren's status will be known when the Steelers release their injury report shortly after practice concludes. |
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Michael Pittman Jr. Michael Pittman Jr. Back at practice Wednesday
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 10:50 AM
Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said Pittman (foot) will practice Wednesday and is likely to be a limited participant, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Pittman was limited to open Week 2 prep, then didn't practice in any capacity last Thursday and Friday before being listed as questionable heading into Sunday's game against the Patriots. He was ultimately inactive for the Steelers' eventual 20-3 loss, but Pittman will take a step forward to begin Week 3 prep by getting back on the practice field. Pittman will likely need to upgrade to full activity by Friday to avoid carrying a designation for Sunday's matchup with the Bengals. |
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