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Kaleb Johnson Kaleb Johnson Relieved of return duties
Tue, Sep 16, 2025, 4:36 PM
Head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Johnson "probably" won't be returning kickoffs against the Patriots in Week 3, Brooke Pryor of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Johnson saw just six snaps (two on offense, four on special teams) during the Steelers' 31-17 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday. Despite the limited playing time, the rookie third-rounder made a big impact in a bad way after allowing a ball that passed him on a kick return into the end zone, which led to George Holani recovering the ball for a Seattle touchdown. Johnson has turned two carries into minus-1 yard over the first two games of the regular season and is far from being involved in the Steelers' offense behind Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell on the backfield depth chart. |
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Darnell Washington Darnell Washington Targeted once in defeat
Mon, Sep 15, 2025, 9:58 AM
Washington failed to secure his lone target during Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Seahawks.
Analysis: Washington matched Pat Freiermuth's snap count during last week's regular-season opener. However, Washington played just 36 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps in Week 2 compared to 51 percent for Freiermuth and 56 percent for Jonnu Smith. Washington was targeted for the first time this season despite his slight decrease in playing time, but he appears unlikely to have a fantasy-relevant role in 2025. |
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Connor Heyward Connor Heyward Tallies one reception in Week 2
Mon, Sep 15, 2025, 9:53 AM
Heyward secured his lone target for six yards during Sunday's 31-17 loss to Seattle.
Analysis: Although Heyward's snap count ranked fourth among the Steelers' tight ends Sunday, he recorded his first catch of the regular season during the loss. While it was encouraging to see him generate some offensive production in Week 2, he appears to be clearly behind Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington on Pittsburgh's depth chart. |
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Ben Skowronek Ben Skowronek Not targeted against Seattle
Mon, Sep 15, 2025, 9:27 AM
Skowronek wasn't targeted during Sunday's 31-17 loss to Seattle.
Analysis: Skowronek reached the end zone during last week's regular-season opener, but he was unable to replicate his success in Week 2 as his snap count remained low. The 2021 seventh-rounder has played mainly on special teams early in the season, and he was on the field for just three offensive snaps Sunday. Although he made the most of his Week 1 target, it seems unlikely that he'll be a reliable fantasy option in 2025 as long as the rest of Pittsburgh's receivers stay healthy. |
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Roman Wilson Roman Wilson One reception in Week 2
Mon, Sep 15, 2025, 9:22 AM
Wilson secured one of two targets for seven yards during Sunday's 31-17 loss to Seattle.
Analysis: Although Wilson's workload remained low in Sunday's Week 2 loss, he recorded his first catch of the regular season and also saw a slight uptick in playing time, as he was on the field for 21 offensive snaps compared to 10 during last week's regular-season opener. He saw the third-highest snap count of any Steelers wide receiver, but he's unlikely to have a fantasy-relevant role as long as DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin stay healthy. |
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Kaleb Johnson Kaleb Johnson Commits blunder on special teams
Mon, Sep 15, 2025, 9:17 AM
Johnson rushed once for one yard during Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Seahawks.
Analysis: Johnson was on the field for just two offensive snaps for a second consecutive week. He played four snaps on special teams, but he didn't pursue a ball that bounced past him on a kickoff in the fourth quarter, which allowed Seattle to recover in the end zone for a touchdown. The 22-year-old showcased some promise during the preseason after being selected in the third round of this year's draft, but he hasn't had a role in Pittsburgh's offense behind Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, and Johnson did little to instill confidence in Week 2. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf First TD as Steeler
Sun, Sep 14, 2025, 8:37 PM
Metcalf recorded three receptions on six targets for 20 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Seahawks.
Analysis: The Steelers' passing attack took a significant step backward relative to Week 1, and Metcalf's output fell accordingly. He still led the team with six targets, though his longest gain went for only nine yards. Metcalf managed to salvage his day with a leaping two-yard touchdown shortly before halftime for his first score as a Steeler, though it was otherwise a forgettable performance. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Picked twice by Seattle
Sun, Sep 14, 2025, 6:36 PM
Rodgers completed 18 of 33 passes for 203 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Seahawks.
Analysis: Rodgers didn't get much help from his pass catchers, but he still had a letdown performance in Week 2. His lone touchdown came on a lofted jump ball to DK Metcalf late in the first half from two yards away, and he also recorded three completions of at least 20 yards -- though Rodgers still managed only 6.2 yards per attempt. While that was a significant departure from Week 1, Rodgers was let down by his pass catchers on a few occasions, most notably on a pass in the end zone that was deflected by Calvin Austin on a pass intended for Pat Freiermuth that was ultimately intercepted. With a subpar offensive line and below-average playmakers around him, it's fair to expect more mediocre fantasy performances from Rodgers moving forward. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Effective as pass catcher again
Sun, Sep 14, 2025, 6:15 PM
Warren rushed the ball 14 times for 48 yards in Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Seahawks. He added four receptions on four targets for 86 yards.
Analysis: Warren more explicitly accounted for the majority of touches out of Pittsburgh's backfield relative to Week 1, out-touching Kenneth Gainwell 18-8. Warren found very little running room, but he made an impact as a receiver for the second consecutive week. Warren recorded a 65-yard gain, most of which came after the catch, in the middle of the third quarter, during which he bounced off several would-be tacklers before being taken down at the five-yard line. While Warren hasn't had a strong start to the season on the ground, he has six receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown combined across the two contests. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Not on injury report
Wed, Sep 10, 2025, 4:55 PM
Rodgers (back) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Sunday's game against Seattle.
Analysis: Rodgers told reporters Wednesday that back tightness impacted his mobility during a 34-32 win over the Jets this past Sunday. He's apparently moved past it, healthy for Week 2 and hoping to build on a four-TD showing in his Steelers debut. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Dealing with back tightness
Wed, Sep 10, 2025, 2:18 PM
Rodgers said Wednesday that he was bothered by back tightness during Sunday's 34-32 win over the Jets, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Rodgers said his back prevented him from moving around well and may have contributed to some of the sacks he took (four). The veteran QB also threw four touchdown passes, and while he may show up on the Week 2 injury report, he'll likely be ready to face the Seahawks come Sunday. |
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Skylar Thompson Skylar Thompson Headed to IR
Wed, Sep 10, 2025, 11:15 AM
Thompson (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Thompson popped up on the Steelers' injury report with a hamstring injury prior to their Week 1 win over the Jets, and the issue now appears serious enough for him to land on IR. Pittsburgh's emergency third quarterback will now miss at least four games, with his earliest possible return coming in Week 7 against the Bengals. With rookie Will Howard (hand) also on IR, the Steelers' quarterback room now consists of just Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph. |
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Ben Skowronek Ben Skowronek Scores touchdown in Week 1 victory
Mon, Sep 8, 2025, 11:46 AM
Skowronek secured his lone target for a 22-yard touchdown in Sunday's 34-32 win over the Jets.
Analysis: Although Skowronek played just 10 offensive snaps during Sunday's regular-season opener, Aaron Rodgers found him late in the first quarter for the team's first touchdown of the year. It was encouraging to see Skowronek reach the end zone to open the regular season, but he'll likely have to compete with Roman Wilson and Scotty Miller for playing time behind DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin as the season progresses. |
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Roman Wilson Roman Wilson Not targeted in season opener
Mon, Sep 8, 2025, 11:43 AM
Wilson wasn't targeted during the Steelers' 34-32 win over the Jets on Sunday.
Analysis: Wilson had a minimal role for the Steelers when healthy in 2024, and he was utilized sparingly during Sunday's regular-season opener, playing just 10 offensive snaps in the Steelers' victory. The 2024 third-round pick has yet to be targeted in the NFL, and he could have trouble carving out much fantasy production in 2025 as long as DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin remain healthy. |
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Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith Finds end zone in team debut
Mon, Sep 8, 2025, 11:37 AM
Smith secured five of six targets for 15 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 34-32 win over the Jets.
Analysis: Although Smith didn't have a particularly efficient performance during his team debut Sunday, he led the Steelers in receptions while reaching the end zone just before halftime. Smith was on the field for 66 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps, which outpaced fellow tight end Pat Freiermuth, who played 50 percent of the snaps. While the duo will likely continue to split some playing time this year, Smith is coming off a career-best season with the Dolphins in 2024 in which he secured 88 of 111 targets for 884 yards and eight touchdowns, and he has some fantasy upside in 2025 if he can establish a rapport with Aaron Rodgers. |
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Pat Freiermuth Pat Freiermuth Tallies three receptions in victory
Mon, Sep 8, 2025, 11:32 AM
Freiermuth secured all three of his targets for 28 yards during Sunday's 34-32 win over the Jets.
Analysis: Freiermuth led the Steelers' tight ends in snap count over his first four seasons in the league, but he has increased competition for playing time in 2025 after the team acquired Jonnu Smith from the Dolphins. Smith was on the field for 66 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps in Week 1 compared to 50 percent for Freiermuth, and Smith also outpaced Freiermuth in targets (six) and receptions (five) while reaching the end zone once. However, Freiermuth was slightly more efficient from a yardage standpoint, averaging 9.3 yards per reception compared to 3.0 for Smith. While Freiermuth will likely continue to have a role in the Steelers' offense in 2025, his fantasy upside will presumably be more limited than it has been in previous seasons as long as Smith remains healthy. |
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Kenneth Gainwell Kenneth Gainwell Limited production in Week 1
Mon, Sep 8, 2025, 11:23 AM
Gainwell rushed seven times for 19 yards while securing three of four targets for four yards during Sunday's 34-32 win over the Jets.
Analysis: While rookie Kaleb Johnson drew plenty of buzz during training camp and preseason action as a complementary back alongside Jaylen Warren, Gainwell was on the field for 54 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps in Sunday's regular-season opener, while Johnson played just two offensive snaps. Gainwell's playing time was encouraging, but he was inefficient with his opportunities. As long as Pittsburgh's backfield remains relatively healthy, it seems unlikely that the 26-year-old will have much fantasy upside in 2025, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Johnson take some of Gainwell's snaps as the season progresses. |
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Kaleb Johnson Kaleb Johnson Minimal involvement in debut
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 11:24 PM
Johnson rushed the ball once for -2 yards in Sunday's 34-32 win over the Jets. He also returned five kickoffs for 132 yards.
Analysis: Johnson clearly served as Pittsburgh's third running back, with his only rushing attempt coming late in the third quarter. His primary contribution came as a kick returner, though he narrowly escaped disaster when a teammate recovered his fumble on a return late in the first quarter. Johnson had an uneven training camp due to his work as a pass blocker and receiver, so he'll likely continue to be brought along slowly behind Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Makes impact as receiver
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 8:23 PM
Warren rushed the ball 11 times for 37 yards in Sunday's 34-32 win over the Jets. He added two receptions on two targets for 22 yards and a touchdown.
Analysis: Warren led the Steelers' backfield as expected, though he only out-carried Kenneth Gainwell 11-7. He had a disastrous first half, recording just four carries for nine yards, but he managed to make an impact in the second half with a long reception of 17 yards late in the third quarter, and he later capped the same drive with a five-yard touchdown catch. Warren managed a decent fantasy performance all told, but he'll be reliant on big plays and touchdowns rather than volume, even as the lead back in Pittsburgh. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Racks up 83 yards in Steelers debut
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 6:37 PM
Metcalf recorded four receptions on seven targets for 83 yards in Sunday's 34-32 win over the Jets.
Analysis: Metcalf led the Steelers in targets and yards in his debut with the team, with the majority of his production coming after the catch. He logged long gains of 31 and 23 yards on quick screens in the first quarter before working over the middle for an 18-yard gain late in the third quarter. Jonnu Smith and Calvin Austin were also heavily targeted in the offense, so Metcalf may have inconsistent results. However, he had a strong Week 1 performance with his new team. |
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