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Ben Skowronek Ben Skowronek Sits out practice
Wed, Nov 26, 2025, 5:13 PM
Skowronek (shoulder) didn't participate in Pittsburgh's practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Skowronek popped up on the injury report Wednesday, though it's unclear when he got hurt. The 28-year-old's availability in Thursday and Friday's practice sessions should provide more clarity on his status for Sunday's matchup versus the Bills. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Doesn't practice Wednesday
Wed, Nov 26, 2025, 2:50 PM
Metcalf (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Coach Mike Tomlin suggested Tuesday that Metcalf would be a limited participant in practice early on during the Steelers' Week 13 prep, but the wideout ended up being deemed a DNP on Wednesday. Metcalf now has two more opportunities to upgrade his participation level ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills. The same applies to Pittsburgh's starting QB Aaron Rodgers (left wrist) , who was also sidelined Wednesday. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Should resume practicing Thursday
Wed, Nov 26, 2025, 2:23 PM
Rodgers (wrist) didn't practice Wednesday but plans to participate Thursday and Friday, Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live reports.
Analysis: It sounds like his activity level Friday will depend on how he feels during/after Thursday's session. Rodgers hopes to return for Sunday's game against Buffalo after missing a Week 12 loss at Chicago, but he acknowledged Wednesday that he still wasn't ready to take snaps under center, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports. He's wearing a cast to protect his broken left wrist, with Mason Rudolph taking first-team practice reps in the meantime. Comments from Rodgers suggest he won't need clearance from a doctor and is fine to manage the pain, but functionality clearly remains a concern when it comes to taking snaps and using his non-throwing hand to grip the ball. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Likely to be limited by ankle issue
Tue, Nov 25, 2025, 11:27 AM
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Metcalf (ankle) will be a limited participant in practice early in Week 13 prep, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Metcalf battled the ankle issue during this past Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Bears, but he still played 61 of the Steelers' 72 snaps on offense on his way to finishing with five catches for 22 yards on eight targets. The injury isn't believed to be anything that will prevent Metcalf from playing this weekend against Buffalo, but he'll likely need to advance to full practice participation by Friday in order to avoid an injury designation. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Limited to start Week 13 prep
Tue, Nov 25, 2025, 11:23 AM
Head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Rodgers (wrist) will be a limited practice participant in the early portion of the week, but the Steelers have "great optimism" that the quarterback will be available Sunday versus the Bills, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. "I'm comfortable with his general trajectory," Tomlin added.
Analysis: Despite exiting the Steelers' Week 11 win over the Bengals with a non-displaced fracture in his left wrist, Rodgers appeared to be a true game-day decision leading up to this past Sunday's game against the Bears after practicing in a limited capacity Thursday and Friday. Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, Tomlin said that Rodgers "fought his tail off" to play in the Steelers' eventual 31-28 loss in Chicago, but the team decided it was a "prudent" decision to hold him out and have Mason Rudolph make the start after he had handled most of the first-team reps during the week. While Rodgers looks like he'll remain a limited practice participant when the Steelers return to the field Wednesday, the expectation is that he'll increase his activity as the week rolls along and put himself on a path to playing against Buffalo. If Rodgers ends up suiting up Sunday, he'll likely need to wear a protective brace on his non-throwing wrist. |
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Pat Freiermuth Pat Freiermuth Reaches end zone against Bears
Mon, Nov 24, 2025, 12:31 PM
Freiermuth secured all three of his targets for 19 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 31-28 loss to Chicago.
Analysis: Although Freiermuth continued to split work at tight end in Week 12, he scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter to bring the Steelers within three points. The touchdown was his fourth of the season, but he's now been held under 20 receiving yards in back-to-back weeks. Freiermuth's fantasy potential this season has been dependent on his ability to reach the end zone, and he's secured 26 of 32 targets for 298 yards and four scores over his first 11 appearances in 2025. |
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Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith Five touches against Chicago
Mon, Nov 24, 2025, 12:27 PM
Smith secured all three of his targets for 21 yards while rushing twice for seven yards during Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Bears.
Analysis: Smith had totaled just four receiving yards over his last two appearances, but he bounced back slightly in Week 12. He matched his season-high mark in yards from scrimmage but continues to split work with fellow tight ends Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth, which limits all of their fantasy upside. |
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Darnell Washington Darnell Washington Racks up 22 yards in loss
Mon, Nov 24, 2025, 12:20 PM
Washington secured both of his targets for 22 yards during Sunday's 31-28 loss to Chicago.
Analysis: Washington had just two catches in Sunday's defeat while fellow tight ends Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth each had three receptions. However, Washington led the group in receiving yards and played the most snaps of the trio, as he was on the field for 68 percent of the team's offensive snaps compared to Smith's 49 percent and Freiermuth's 47 percent. Although Washington had some factors that slightly mitigated his disappointing performance, his fantasy upside is limited since he's split work with Smith and Freiermuth for most of the season. |
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Roman Wilson Roman Wilson No catches in Week 12
Mon, Nov 24, 2025, 12:13 PM
Wilson failed to secure either of his two targets during Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Bears.
Analysis: Wilson had recorded at least one catch in each of his last six games, but he failed to establish a connection with quarterback Mason Rudolph in Chicago on Sunday. Wilson was also on the field for just 28 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps, which was his lowest mark since Week 6. He's shown some glimpses of production this season but hasn't been a very reliable fantasy option. |
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Kaleb Johnson Kaleb Johnson Doesn't see field against Chicago
Mon, Nov 24, 2025, 12:07 PM
Johnson didn't take the field during Sunday's 31-28 loss to Chicago.
Analysis: Johnson had been limited to single-digit offensive snaps in each of Pittsburgh's last three games, but he was held off the field altogether during Sunday's road loss. Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell continue to serve as the Steelers' top two running backs, and Johnson has been unable to carve out a fantasy-relevant role to begin his rookie year. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Plays through ankle issue
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 7:11 PM
Metcalf recorded five receptions on eight targets for 22 yards in Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Bears. He added two rushes for 12 yards and a touchdown.
Analysis: Metcalf led the Steelers in targets but had a quiet game with Aaron Rodgers (wrist) sidelined and Mason Rudolph under center. His longest catch of the day went for only eight yards, and his lone deep target was picked off. Metcalf saved his performance with a six-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter-- his first score since Week 8. Metcalf also battled an ankle injury for much of the second and third quarters. While he didn't miss a significant amount of time in the loss, his practice status will be worth monitoring ahead of Pittsburgh's Week 13 matchup against the Bills. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Matches season high in carries
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 6:53 PM
Warren rushed the ball 18 times for 68 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Bears.
Analysis: Warren was cleared Friday from an ankle injury, though there was still some question as to whether he'd handle his typical workload. However, he matched his season high with 18 carries and reached at least 60 rushing yards for the third straight game. Warren also found the end zone for only the fourth time this season on a one-yard plunge late in the second quarter. Warren remains the traditional lead back for Pittsburgh despite ceding work as a pass catcher, and he's a reliable, if unspectacular, contributor. |
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Kenneth Gainwell Kenneth Gainwell Tallies 122 yards from scrimmage
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 5:04 PM
Gainwell rushed the ball 10 times for 92 yards in Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Bears. He added six receptions on six targets for 30 yards.
Analysis: Jaylen Warren was able to play despite nursing an ankle issue during the week, though he out-touched Gainwell only 18-16. Gainwell's big gain as a runner came on a fake tush push, with Connor Heyward instead spinning and handing the ball to Gainwell for a 55-yard gain -- ending just short of the goal line. As has been the case often this season, Gainwell also excelled as a receiver, pacing the team in receptions and finishing second in yards. Warren is likely to continue to serve as Pittsburgh's traditional lead back moving forward, though Gainwell has a clear role in the offense that is particularly useful in PPR formats. |
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Mason Rudolph Mason Rudolph Comes up short in spot start
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 4:34 PM
Rudolph completed 24 of 31 passes for 171 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Bears. He added three rushes for seven yards while also losing a fumble.
Analysis: Rudolph drew a spot start with Aaron Rodgers (wrist) sidelined and managed to move the Steelers' offense fairly effectively, leading three touchdown drives. His lone passing score came on a short six-yard swing pass to DK Metcalf, and he was generally most comfortable working in short areas of the field. That led to a mediocre fantasy performance, and Rudolph's effort also came up short on the field after a critical lost fumble late in the third quarter that changed the momentum of the game. Head coach Mike Tomlin indicated after the game that Rodgers is likely to return in Week 13 against Buffalo, per Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site, meaning Rudolph will likely return to the bench. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Trending toward Week 13 return
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 3:33 PM
Coach Mike Tomlin noted after Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Bears that he anticipates Rodgers (left wrist) being ready to play next weekend against the Bills, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN, Tomlin noted in a pregame interview Sunday that Rodgers -- who has been dealing with a fractured left wrist -- "fought his tail off" to play against Chicago, while adding that it was the "prudent" decision to sit the veteran quarterback. In his Week 12 absence, Mason Rudolph started for the Steelers, with Will Howard backing him up. |
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Will Howard Will Howard Backup QB for Week 12
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 10:44 AM
Howard is active for Sunday's game against the Bears, where he'll serve as the backup quarterback behind Mason Rudolph, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Howard opened the season on injured reserve due to a fractured right hand, and after being activated off IR on Nov. 12, he served as the Steelers' emergency third quarterback in Week 11 against the Bengals. However, with Aaron Rodgers (wrist) ruled out for Sunday's clash against Chicago, Howard will be on the active roster for the first time this season and will be available to play in case Rudolph is removed from the game. During his final collegiate season at Ohio State, Howard completed 73.0 percent of his passes for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions across 16 games. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Not suiting up Sunday
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 10:36 AM
Rodgers (wrist) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bears, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: After suffering a non-displaced fracture to his left (non-throwing) wrist during last week's win over the Bengals, Rodgers made a spirited bid to attempt to play Sunday, but he ultimately didn't heal enough for the Steelers to feel comfortable having him suit up in Chicago. With Rodgers set to miss his first game of the season, Mason Rudolph will draw the start at quarterback, while rookie Will Howard serves as his backup. Rodgers won't need surgery to address his injury, and while the early expectation is that he'll be able to return to action Week 13 against the Bills, he'll likely need to wear a protective brace on the wrist. |
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Mason Rudolph Mason Rudolph Drawing Week 12 start
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 9:57 AM
Rudolph is slated to start at quarterback in Sunday's game against the Bears, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: He'll be filling in for Aaron Rodgers, who had been listed as questionable but wasn't able to make enough progress in his recovery from a non-displaced left wrist fracture to play through the injury Sunday. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Rodgers should be able to play next weekend against the Bills, but Rudolph will get the starting nod in Week 12, which makes him a pivot option for fantasy managers who would normally utilize Rodgers in lineups. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Not slated to start Sunday
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 9:50 AM
Rodgers (wrist) remains listed as questionable but isn't in line to start Sunday's game against the Bears, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Per Rapoport, Rodgers was pushing to play Sunday, but after he sat out one practice and was limited in two others due to a non-displaced left wrist fracture, he'll give way to Mason Rudolph in Week 12. Rodgers is expected to return to the lineup Nov. 30 against the Bills, provided he experiences no setbacks in his recovery during Week 13 prep. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Status for Sunday still uncertain
Sat, Nov 22, 2025, 9:56 PM
Rodgers (wrist), who is officially questionable for Sunday's matchup against Chicago, "has been pushing to play," but Steelers doctors have been "cautious and guarded" about clearing the veteran quarterback, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Schefter notes that if Rodgers is left to decide his status, he'll play, but adds that Pittsburgh hasn't given any hints about the outcome of the decision. Rodgers is dealing with a minor fracture in his left (non-throwing) wrist that isn't expected to require surgery, and he has suggested that the determination about his ability to suit up Sunday hinges on whether the issue will inhibit him from protecting himself. Fantasy managers may not know Rodgers' playing status until about 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, and at this point his likelihood of playing seems to be about 50/50. |
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