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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren May be limited to begin Week 12
Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 11:25 AM
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that he's "optimistic" that Warren (ankle) will be available for Sunday's game in Chicago, though the running back is expected to be a limited participant in practice to begin Week 12 prep, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Warren carried 10 times for 62 yards and added two receptions for five yards before checking out of this past Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals in the third quarter after tweaking his ankle. The 27-year-old said after the contest that he could have returned to the game, but the Steelers opted to play it safe in the final quarter and let Kenneth Gainwell and Kaleb Johnson pick up extra reps out of the backfield. Tomlin's comments Tuesday seemingly support the notion that Warren's early exit was precautionary, but Warren will likely still need to upgrade to full practice participation by Friday in order to avoid a designation for the Week 12 contest. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Avoiding surgery, iffy for Week 12
Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 10:50 AM
Rodgers underwent tests Monday that confirmed he won't need surgery to address a minor fracture of his left wrist, but he still needs clearance from doctors in order to play Sunday in Chicago, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report.
Analysis: Though the fracture is to Rodgers' non-throwing wrist, the injury could still present complications with ball security. For his part, Rodgers is pushing to play Week 12, but he'll likely need to wear a protective brace on the wrist and prove that he's not compromised by the injury in order to get the green light to suit up Sunday. After Rodgers was forced out of this past Sunday's win over the Bengals late in the second quarter, Mason Rudolph stepped in under center and completed 12 of 16 pass attempts for 127 yards and a touchdown. According to Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site, head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Rodgers won't practice Wednesday, and the veteran quarterback is expected to remain sidelined for Thursday's session as well while Rudolph receives the first-team reps to keep himself prepared to start in Chicago in the event Rodgers isn't available. Tomlin noted that Rodgers will attempt to practice Friday before the Steelers decide on his status for Sunday. |
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Pat Freiermuth Pat Freiermuth Makes 19-yard reception in Week 11
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 11:26 AM
Freiermuth secured his lone target for 19 yards during Sunday's 34-12 win over Cincinnati.
Analysis: Although Freiermuth ended his four-game streak of multi-reception games Sunday, he was somewhat efficient on his lone target against the Bengals. Although Freiermuth has remained inconsistent in recent weeks, his fantasy production has certainly been better than it was over his first five appearances of the year. Across his last five outings, Freiermuth has secured 15 of 18 targets for 203 yards and three touchdowns, and he's been a more reliable option than teammate Jonnu Smith during that time. |
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Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith No catches in Week 11
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 11:21 AM
Smith failed to secure either of his two targets during Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals.
Analysis: Smith has struggled to carve out much of a role to begin his time with the Steelers, and he's been especially uninvolved in the passing game over the past two weeks, as he's secured just one of four targets for four yards during that time. Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington have been slightly more reliable recently, leaving Smith as a shaky fantasy option heading into the final month and a half of the regular season. |
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Roman Wilson Roman Wilson Racks up 17 yards in win
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 11:16 AM
Wilson secured one of two targets for 17 yards during Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals.
Analysis: Wilson was on the field for 57 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps Sunday, marking just the second time this season that he's played more than half of the team's snaps. His uptick in playing time didn't lead to an increased target share, as he's seen two or fewer targets in eight of 10 of his appearances to begin the season. Wilson's fantasy upside will likely remain limited moving forward, especially if Aaron Rodgers (wrist) is forced to miss time. |
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Calvin Austin Calvin Austin Minimal workload against Cincinnati
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 11:11 AM
Austin secured his lone target for five yards during Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals.
Analysis: Austin had played at least 50 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps in his first seven appearances of the season, but he was on the field for just 29 percent during Sunday's comfortable victory. The 2022 fourth-rounder was held to single-digit receiving yards for the first time this year, but Pittsburgh was playing without Aaron Rodgers during the second half. Even if Austin's playing time bounces back down the stretch, he'll likely have limited fantasy upside as long as DK Metcalf remains healthy. |
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Kaleb Johnson Kaleb Johnson Plays eight snaps in Week 11
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 11:04 AM
Johnson rushed five times for 15 yards during Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals.
Analysis: Despite Sunday's lopsided score, the Steelers sustained several prominent injuries, including a wrist injury for Aaron Rodgers and an ankle injury that Jaylen Warren sustained in the third quarter. The latter's ailment led to a slightly increased role for Johnson, although Kenneth Gainwell saw the biggest uptick in usage. However, Warren said after the matchup that he could have returned to the game, so it seems likely that he'll be available for Pittsburgh's Week 12 tilt in Chicago. Assuming Warren and Gainwell remain available against the Bears, Johnson should continue to have minimal fantasy upside. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Could have re-entered Week 11 win
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 9:01 AM
Warren (ankle) said after Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals that he could have retaken the field after suffering an injury in the third quarter, but that remaining on the sideline "was part of being smart," Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.
Analysis: Coach Mike Tomlin refrained from offering a tangible update on Warren's health following Sunday's divisional win, but it appears the starting running back has avoided a serious injury. The success logged by Kenneth Gainwell (105 scrimmage yards and two receiving scores on 16 touches) may have informed Pittsburgh's decision to take a cautious approach with Warren, who himself gained 62 rushing yards on 10 carries and secured both of his targets for five yards. If Warren ends up missing any time or even being limited on the road against Chicago in Week 12, Gainwell will likely be the biggest beneficiary again, as rookie third-round pick Kaleb Johnson played only eight snaps in Week 11 even with Warren on the sidelines. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Considered 50-50 for Week 12
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 8:14 AM
Rodgers (wrist) will undergo further medical evaluation Monday and has been described by NFL sources as "50-50" to face the Bears in Week 12, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Rodgers suffered an injury to his left, non-throwing wrist and was forced out early during Pittsburgh's win over the Bengals in Week 11, which Adam Schefter of ESPN reports may be a minor fracture. Whether or not the veteran quarterback is at risk of exacerbating the injury, and whether he can properly grip a football, will be the major deciding factors in his availability. Mason Rudolph replaced Rodgers to start the third quarter Sunday, completing 12 of 16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown while rushing once for minus-1 yard. If Rodgers isn't able to suit up on the road against Chicago, Rudolph will presumably draw the start while rookie sixth-round pick Will Howard, who recently came off IR, handles the No. 2 role. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Likely to miss Week 12
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 7:40 PM
Rodgers may be dealing with "a slight break" in his left wrist, and backup Mason Rudolph is likely to start in Week 12 against the Bears, though the full extent of Rodgers' injury won't be determined until he undergoes further testing Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Rodgers got hurt late in the first half of Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals and didn't return for the second half. The injury is to Rodgers' left, non-throwing wrist. Monday's evaluation should help establish a recovery timetable for Rodgers while providing clarification regarding the nature of his wrist injury. Per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Rodgers is optimistic that he won't face an extended absence. |
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Kenneth Gainwell Kenneth Gainwell Two receiving TDs as Warren injured
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 5:03 PM
Gainwell rushed nine times for 24 yards while catching seven of eight targets for 81 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals.
Analysis: Gainwell capped the opening drive with an 11-yard receiving touchdown. Jaylen Warren played only one snap after hurting his ankle in the third quarter, opening the door for Gainwell to play a larger role. Gainwell didn't find much running room but continued to make significant contributions as a pass catcher out of the backfield, including by notching a five-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter on a pass from Mason Rudolph, who replaced Aaron Rodgers (left wrist) at halftime. If Warren is unavailable or limited in Week 12, Gainwell could take on a hefty workload against the Bears. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Plays one snap after hurting ankle
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 4:55 PM
Warren rushed 10 times for 62 yards and caught both of his targets for five yards in Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals, but he played only one snap after suffering an ankle injury in the third quarter, Alan Saunders of Pittsburgh Steelers Now reports.
Analysis: Warren exited in the third quarter to be evaluated for an ankle injury, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com. Kenneth Gainwell took advantage of Warren's early exit, compiling 105 scrimmage yards and two receiving touchdowns on 16 touches. Gainwell's first touchdown came two plays after a 35-yard Warren run on the opening drive. Warren has rushed for 189 yards in two games against Cincinnati's suspect run defense this season while averaging a shade under 50 rushing yards in seven other games. An update on Warren's ankle injury will surface no later than Wednesday, when the Steelers begin practicing ahead of a Week 12 road game against the Bears. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Five catches as Rodgers gets hurt
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 4:45 PM
Metcalf caught five of eight targets for 49 yards in Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals.
Analysis: Aaron Rodgers (left wrist) didn't come back out for the second half, so Mason Rudolph took over under center. Each quarterback threw a touchdown pass to running back Kenneth Gainwell and Pittsburgh's defense scored two touchdowns, but no Steelers wide receiver besides Metcalf had more than two targets. Metcalf is the top option in Pittsburgh's passing game heading into a Week 12 trip to Chicago, but it remains to be seen which quarterback will be throwing him the ball. |
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Darnell Washington Darnell Washington Four catches in victory
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 4:42 PM
Washington caught four of five targets for 67 yards in Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals.
Analysis: Washington was able to able to match his season high in catches while recording a new season-best 67 yards through the air. The tight end notched the majority of his yardage on a 31-yard catch and run in the second quarter. Washington has now compiled nine catches for 125 yards over the last three weeks. The 300-plus pound tight end will look to keep it rolling in Chicago against the Bears in Week 12. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Will have left wrist checked out
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 3:55 PM
Coach Mike Tomlin noted that Rodgers, who suffered a left wrist injury during Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals, will be evaluated further Monday morning, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Before exiting the contest, Rodgers completed nine of his 15 pass attempts for 116 yards and a touchdown and carried once for eight yards. Mason Rudolph, who replaced him, wound up completing 12 of his 16 pass attempts for 127 yards and a TD, and rushed once for minus-1 yard. The 6-4 Steelers are slated to face the 7-3 Bears next weekend, but at this stage it's uncertain if Rodgers will be available for the contest. |
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Mason Rudolph Mason Rudolph Replaces injured Rodgers at half
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 3:40 PM
Rudolph completed 12 of 16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown while rushing once for minus-1 yard after replacing Aaron Rodgers (left wrist) in Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals.
Analysis: Rudolph came into the game to start the third quarter after Rodgers hurt his non-throwing hand on Pittsburgh's penultimate offensive play of the first half. The backup quarterback's touchdown came on a five-yard pass to Kenneth Gainwell in the fourth quarter, matching Rodgers' 11-yard touchdown pass to Gainwell in the first quarter, and Pittsburgh's defense chipped in a pair of touchdowns in the lopsided victory. More clarity on Rodgers' status should surface in the coming days, as coach Mike Tomlin said after the game that Rodgers will be evaluated Monday morning, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com. If Rodgers isn't available in Week 12 at Chicago, Rudolph would presumably get the start over recently healed rookie sixth-round pick Will Howard. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Exits Sunday's game
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 1:57 PM
Rodgers (left hand) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Bengals, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: With Rodgers sidelined, Mason Rudolph is in at QB for the Steelers. Prior to his exit from the contest, Rodgers completed nine of his 15 pass attempts for 116 yards and a TD and carried once for eight yards. |
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Will Howard Will Howard Emergency QB for Week 11
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 11:16 AM
Howard (coach's decision) is inactive but will serve as the Steelers' emergency third quarterback against the Bengals on Sunday.
Analysis: Howard has yet to appear in a regular-season game, having resided on injured reserve due to a fractured hand he suffered during training camp. Cleared of injury, the quarterback is positioned to help his team if injury strikes both starter Aaron Rodgers and backup Mason Rudolph. |
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Scotty Miller Scotty Miller Past finger injury
Wed, Nov 12, 2025, 7:26 PM
Miller (finger) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Miller missed the Steelers' last three games while recovering from surgery to repair a broken finger. He was a full participant to open Week 11 prep, which puts the veteran wide receiver on track to play against the Bengals on Sunday. Miller was used sparsely on offense prior to his injury, logging one catch (on two targets) for nine yards across six regular-season games. |
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Will Howard Will Howard Comes off IR
Wed, Nov 12, 2025, 9:06 AM
The Steelers activated Howard (hand) from IR to the 53-man roster on Wednesday.
Analysis: Howard began the regular season on IR due to a fractured hand suffered during training camp, and after having had his 21-day practice window opened Oct. 22, the rookie sixth-round pick is now ready for game action. He could contribute as the Steelers' emergency No. 3 quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph versus the Bengals on Sunday. |
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