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George Pickens George Pickens Won't play Saturday
Thu, Dec 19, 2024, 2:26 PM
Pickens (hamstring) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Ravens, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Pickens, who was listed as a non-participant at practice Tuesday through Thursday, will target a potential return to action next Wednesday, when the Steelers face the Chiefs. With Pickens set to miss his third straight game, look for Calvin Austin and Van Jefferson to lead the team's wideout corps versus Baltimore, with Mike Williams, Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek also mixing in. |
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Justin Fields Justin Fields Ruled out for Week 16
Thu, Dec 19, 2024, 2:23 PM
Fields (abdomen) did not practice Thursday and is ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Ravens, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Fields hasn't yet practiced in any capacity since sustaining an abdomen injury during Pittsburgh's loss to the Eagles in Week 15. He picked up the injury on an eight-yard rush in the second quarter of the Steelers' loss. Until Fields is cleared to retake the field, Kyle Allen handle backup quarterback duties behind Russell Wilson. |
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George Pickens George Pickens Listed as non-participant again
Wed, Dec 18, 2024, 2:57 PM
Pickens (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant in practice Wednesday, Dale Lolley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: For the second consecutive day, Pickens took part in position drills on the side of practice but went down as a non-participant on the official injury report. Pittsburgh's No. 1 wide receiver seems to be tracking toward a third consecutive absence Saturday against the Ravens, but the team's final injury report of the week will be released Thursday and will provide clarity on his chances of suiting up. |
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George Pickens George Pickens Takes part in position drills
Wed, Dec 18, 2024, 1:09 PM
Pickens (hamstring) was spotted taking part in some position drills in the media-access portion of Wednesday's practice, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Pickens was also spotted Tuesday doing individual drills, but the Steelers then listed him as a non-participant in their walk-through practice. It's unclear at this point if he has a real shot to play Saturday against the Ravens, after missing the previous two games with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. |
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Mike Williams Mike Williams One grab in Week 15
Wed, Dec 18, 2024, 7:10 AM
Williams caught one of his two targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Eagles.
Analysis: Williams continues to struggle to take a step forward in Pittsburgh's passing attack since joining the team in Week 10. The veteran wideout played just 15 of the Steelers' 43 offensive snaps, behind fellow wide receivers Calvin Austin (35) and Van Jefferson (35). Despite No. 1 wideout George Pickens (hamstring) missing his second straight game, Williams was mostly an afterthought in the offensive scheme. The 30-year-old will look to bounce back in Week 16 when the Steelers visit the Ravens. |
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Van Jefferson Van Jefferson Nonfactor against Philadelphia
Wed, Dec 18, 2024, 7:03 AM
Jefferson caught one of his two targets for zero yards in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Eagles.
Analysis: Jefferson finished the game tied for the most snaps at wide receiver (35) with Calvin Austin, with both handling an 81 percent snap share in the contest. With fellow wideout George Pickens (hamstring) sidelined for the past two contests, the 28-year-old Jefferson has seen an increase in his playing time but saw just three total targets from quarterback Russell Wilson in that span. Unfortunately, the veteran was unable to get anything going against a stingy Philadelphia secondary. Jefferson will look to bounce back in a Week 16 matchup against the Ravens, however, his already limited usage could take a hit if Pickens is able to return. |
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Cordarrelle Patterson Cordarrelle Patterson Three touches in loss
Wed, Dec 18, 2024, 6:56 AM
Patterson rushed twice for nine yards and caught his only target for minus-1 yard in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Eagles.
Analysis: Patterson played just six of the Steelers' 43 offensive snaps in the contest, as he continues to operate in a depth role behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. The veteran running back holds little fantasy value as long as both Harris and Warren are healthy. Patterson can be ignored for fantasy purposes heading into a Week 16 matchup against the Ravens. |
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Justin Fields Justin Fields Logs DNP on Tuesday
Tue, Dec 17, 2024, 4:18 PM
Fields (abdomen) did not participate in Tuesday's walkthrough session, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Fields suffered an abdominal injury on an eight-yard rush in the second quarter of Sunday's loss to the Eagles. He'll have two more chances this week to return to practice ahead of Saturday's AFC North showdown against the Ravens. If Fields is not cleared for that game, Kyle Allen would be the next man up to serve as the Steelers' backup quarterback behind Russell Wilson. |
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George Pickens George Pickens Sits out walk-through practice
Tue, Dec 17, 2024, 3:01 PM
Pickens (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant for Tuesday's walk-through practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: While Pickens didn't take a step forward in his listed practice activity as the Steelers began Week 16 prep, the receiver seems to be making improvement in his recovery from the Grade 2 hamstring strain that has sidelined him the last two games. According to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, Pickens was spotted taking part in individual drills off to the side during the portion of the walkthrough that was open to the media. Alan Sauders of SteelersNow.com adds that Pickens also took part in a ball-security drill with teammates, but the wideout will likely need to mix into more on-field drills as the week progresses in order for the Steelers to feel confident in his availability for Saturday's game in Baltimore. |
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Pat Freiermuth Pat Freiermuth Leads team with six targets
Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 10:38 PM
Freiermuth recorded three receptions on six targets for 22 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Eagles.
Analysis: Freiermuth saw an increase in role with George Pickens (hamstring) sidelined for the second consecutive week, though the Steelers offense never got going. His stat line was modest as a result, with his primary contribution being a nine-yard touchdown reception just before halftime. Freiermuth has now found the end zone in three straight games, while tallying at least three receptions in four straight contests. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Held to 15 yards
Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 10:26 PM
Warren rushed the ball four times for 12 yards in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Eagles. He added one rush on two targets for three yards.
Analysis: Pat Freiermuth was the only Steelers' skill-position player to deliver a useful fantasy performance as the offense ran only 41 plays for the game. Warren avoided a back-breaking mistake unlike Najee Harris, though this marked his fewest yards from scrimmage since Week 3. Warren's usage on the ground has been inconsistent this season, though he's had more regular production as a pass catcher and should have the chance to bounce back in that role in a Week 16 matchup against Baltimore. |
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Najee Harris Najee Harris Miserable showing against Eagles
Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 10:17 PM
Harris rushed the ball six times for 14 yards in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Eagles. He added one reception on one target for seven yards.
Analysis: There was limited volume for all skill-position players in the Pittsburgh offense, as the team ran only 41 total offensive plays. Even taking that into account, Harris had a miserable showing as he averaged just 2.3 yards per attempt while also losing a pitch late in the third quarter with the Steelers threatening to score. While Russell Wilson was technically charged with the fumble, Harris did not get a touch for the rest of the game. It's unlikely that usage carries over into a pivotal Week 16 matchup against Baltimore, though Harris has topped 65 rushing yards only once in his last six contests making him an unreliable fantasy option even with a regular amount of touches. |
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Calvin Austin Calvin Austin Lone bright spot in loss to Philly
Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 10:02 PM
Austin recorded five receptions on five targets for 65 yards in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Eagles.
Analysis: Austin did his part to fill the void left by George Pickens' (hamstring) absence in the Pittsburgh offense by recording a season-best five receptions. His biggest impact came early in the third quarter, when he recorded a 31-yard reception that put the Steelers in scoring range. Despite the positive showing, Austin still has surpassed 50 receiving yards in only four games on the campaign. |
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Russell Wilson Russell Wilson Struggles in Philly
Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 9:55 PM
Wilson completed 14 of 22 passes for 128 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Eagles. He added four rushes for 13 yards while losing a fumble.
Analysis: The Eagles dominated time of possession, and the Steelers ran only offensive 41 plays. In part, that was due to Wilson's inability to move the Pittsburgh offense, as the unit totaled -19 yards through their five possessions while picking up only 163 net yards for the game. The end result was Wilson's lowest yardage total as the team's starter and marks his second consecutive performance with less than 160 passing yards with George Pickens (hamstring) sidelined. Though Baltimore's passing defense has been leaky at times, it will be difficult to trust Wilson moving forward -- particularly so long as Pickens is out. |
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Justin Fields Justin Fields Out for remainder of Week 15
Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 5:59 PM
Fields (abdomen) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Eagles, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Fields was hurt on his only snap of the game -- a second-quarter eight-yard carry on which Reed Blankenship was penalized for unnecessary roughness. Fields' absence means that Pittsburgh will be unable to deploy the package that features Fields as a runner, which the team has been using a few times per game. Russell Wilson remains the Steelers' No. 1 quarterback. |
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Justin Fields Justin Fields Questionable to return
Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 5:46 PM
Fields is questionable to return to Sunday's matchup versus the Eagles due to an abdominal injury, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Fields had carried the ball once for eight yards prior to suffering an injury during the third quarter of Sunday's matchup. If he ends up being unable to return, the team will have to turn to emergency third quarterback Kyle Allen should Russell Wilson get hurt. |
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Kyle Allen Kyle Allen Emergency QB again for Week 15
Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 2:37 PM
Allen (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Eagles.
Analysis: Allen will serve as the Steelers' emergency quarterback for the second game in a row. His only chance to play will come only if both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are forced to exit due to injury. |
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Mike Williams Mike Williams Elevated volume possible Sunday
Sun, Dec 15, 2024, 2:18 PM
Williams is in line for an expanded role in Sunday's Week 15 matchup against the Eagles with George Pickens (hamstring) inactive for the contest.
Analysis: Playing without Pickens in Week 14 against the Browns, Williams resurfaced in the Steelers' air attack, albeit modestly, with a 3-36-0 line on four targets. However, that represented a significant uptick in involvement for the veteran trade-deadline acquisition, whose only reception in a Steelers uniform prior to that game had been a 32-yard touchdown catch in his Week 10 team debut against the Commanders. Williams again will have added opportunities for targets Sunday, although those will come versus a talented Philadelphia secondary that's allowed an NFC-low 178.5 passing yards per game. |
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George Pickens George Pickens Won't play Sunday
Fri, Dec 13, 2024, 2:45 PM
Pickens (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Pickens, who was inactive for this past Sunday's 27-14 win over the Browns, thus will target a potential return to the lineup a week from Saturday, when the Steelers face the Ravens. In Pickens' continued absence, look for fellow wide receivers Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Mike Williams and Scotty Miller to see added Week 15 opportunities. |
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George Pickens George Pickens Still not practicing
Thu, Dec 12, 2024, 2:46 PM
Pickens (hamstring) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, head coach Mike Tomlin indicated Tuesday that there's an "outside chance" Pickens can play Sunday against the Eagles. The wideout has one more chance to practice in advance of the contest, but it's plausible that Pickens could be ruled out as soon as Friday. If Pickens remains sidelined versus Philadelphia, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Mike Williams and Scotty Miller would be in line to lead Pittsburgh's Week 15 WR corps. |
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