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Calvin Austin Calvin Austin Quiet in playoff loss
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 11:05 PM
Austin brought in three of six targets for eight yards and returned one punt for 14 yards in the Steelers' 30-6 wild-card loss to the Texans on Monday night.
Analysis: Austin's receiving line underscores how suffocating the Texans defense was overall, on a night when Aaron Rodgers was sacked four times and threw for only 146 yards. Austin recorded 31 receptions for 372 yards and three touchdowns on 55 targets across 14 regular-season games in 2025, adding 15 punt returns for 101 yards. The 2022 fourth-round pick is slated to hit unrestricted free agency at the start of the new league year, and given his unremarkable body of work over his first four seasons, it's likely the Steelers allow him to explore the open market. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Two catches in playoff defeat
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 10:57 PM
Metcalf (suspension) brought in two of five targets for 42 yards in the Steelers' 30-6 wild-card loss to the Texans on Monday night.
Analysis: Metcalf returned from a two-game ban to close out the regular season and contributed 25- and 17-yard gains on his pair of grabs. His yardage total was a team-high figure, and he tied for second in targets as well. Ultimately, the Texans defense put the clamps on the Steelers offense as a whole, leading to a quiet finish to Metcalf's debut campaign in Pittsburgh. The veteran wideout posted a 59-850-6 line on 99 targets while adding two rushes for 12 yards across 15 regular-season games while working with Aaron Rodgers for the first time. Metcalf is in line to reprise his role as Pittsburgh's No. 1 receiver in 2026, but he may be working with a new quarterback for the second straight season. |
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Kenneth Gainwell Kenneth Gainwell Nets 146 all-purpose yards in loss
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 10:51 PM
Gainwell rushed six times for 20 yards and brought in four of six targets for 26 yards in the Steelers' 30-6 wild-card loss to the Texans on Monday night. He also returned four kickoffs for 100 yards.
Analysis: Gainwell filled a complementary role on the ground, logging half the amount of carries as Jaylen Warren. The versatile Gainwell also had a key role in the passing game, recording a team-high reception tally while also tying for the lead in targets. He made his presence felt on kickoff returns as well, following up what was a successful Steelers debut campaign. The veteran rushed for a career-best 537 yards and career-high-tying five touchdowns at 4.7 yards per carry, adding a career-best 73-486-3 line on 85 targets, 633 kickoff-return yards and two fumbles (one lost) across 17 games. While Gainwell played 2025 on a one-year deal, his success could lead to the Steelers making an effort to retain him before he hits unrestricted free agency. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Just under 50 total yards Monday
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 10:43 PM
Warren rushed 12 times for 43 yards and brought in his only target for four yards in the Steelers' 30-6 wild-card loss to the Texans on Monday night.
Analysis: Warren doubled up backfield mate Kenneth Gainwell in carries while outgaining him by 23 rushing yards. Despite a modest night against the elite Texans defense, the versatile Warren finished the 2025 regular season having posted career highs in rush attempts (211), rushing yards (958) and rushing touchdowns (six) while adding a 40-333-2 line on 45 targets, 205 kickoff-return yards and one fumble that stayed with Pittsburgh across 16 games. Warren is under contract through the 2027 season and should once again play a prominent role in the ground attack next season. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Difficult night in playoff loss
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 10:35 PM
Rodgers completed 17 of 33 passes for 146 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in the Steelers' 30-6 wild-card loss to the Texans on Monday night. He also committed two fumbles, losing one.
Analysis: If this was indeed Rodgers' NFL swan song, the Texans did plenty to encourage him to hang up the cleats thanks to a relentless defense that sacked him four times. Rodgers had DK Metcalf back at his disposal following the latter's completion of a two-game suspension, but outside of a pair of solid gains, the duo and the rest of the Steelers offense managed precious little against Houston's elite unit. Both of Rodgers' fourth-quarter turnovers -- a fumble on a strip sack and a interception on what may have been his final career pass attempt -- were returned for touchdowns as well. He did put together a solid regular season, completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 3,322 yards with a 24:7 TD:INT and adding 61 rushing yards and an additional score on the ground over 16 games while playing out a one-year deal. The future Hall of Famer will presumably take some time to contemplate his future this offseason before deciding whether he'd like to continue his playing career. |
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Will Howard Will Howard Emergency third QB for wild-card game
Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 6:10 PM
Howard (coach's decision) is inactive and will serve as Pittsburgh's emergency third quarterback for Monday's AFC wild-card game versus Houston, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: This is a familiar role for Howard, as he's been Pittsburgh's emergency QB every week since coming off IR in mid-November. Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph will continue to serve as the Steelers' QB1 and QB2, respectively, while Howard will be eligible to enter Monday's game only if both quarterbacks ahead of him have to exit due to injury, illness or ejection. |
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Connor Heyward Connor Heyward Sees increased rushing work in 2025
Sun, Jan 11, 2026, 10:04 PM
Heyward secured three of four targets for 21 yards and a touchdown while logging 15 carries for 43 yards and two scores over 17 appearances during the 2025 regular season.
Analysis: Heyward played mostly on special teams in 2025 and wasn't very involved in the passing game. However, he saw some short-yardage work on the ground down the stretch and reached the end zone in two of the team's final four regular-season games. The Steelers had an abundance of options at tight end for most of the season, including Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington (forearm), and it certainly seems possible that Heyward will look for other opportunities as an unrestricted free agent this spring. |
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Roman Wilson Roman Wilson Minimal role to end 2025 campaign
Sun, Jan 11, 2026, 9:59 PM
Wilson secured 12 of 21 targets for 166 yards and two touchdowns over 13 regular-season appearances in 2025.
Analysis: After missing most of his rookie season in 2024 due to injuries, Wilson had some encouraging performances in 2025, highlighted by a mid-season stretch in which he had five performances with double-digit receiving yards in a span of six games. However, his role diminished down the stretch, and he was a healthy scratch in four of the team's last six regular-season matchups. Wilson could have some streaming appeal in 2026, but he'll likely have trouble carving out consistent fantasy relevance throughout the season. |
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Ben Skowronek Ben Skowronek Quiet during 2025 regular season
Sun, Jan 11, 2026, 9:53 PM
Skowronek secured four of six targets for 69 yards and a touchdown while appearing in all 17 regular-season games in 2025.
Analysis: Skowronek had a 22-yard touchdown reception in the Steelers' Week 1 win over the Jets, but his production went downhill from there. He failed to garner multiple targets in any of his regular-season appearances, and he was forced to play mainly on special teams during his fifth professional campaign. The 2021 seventh-rounder will be an unrestricted free agent during the offseason, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him seek out other opportunities after being held under 70 receiving yards in each of his two seasons in Pittsburgh. |
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Scotty Miller Scotty Miller Minimal work during regular season
Sun, Jan 11, 2026, 9:49 PM
Miller secured nine of 14 targets for 62 yards over 13 appearances during the 2025 regular season.
Analysis: Miller rejoined the Steelers on a one-year deal during the offseason but was held under 70 receiving yards for a second consecutive year despite the team bringing in an upgrade at quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. Miller will be an unrestricted free agent once again ahead of the 2026 campaign, and it seems unlikely that he'll generate much fantasy appeal during his age-29 season. |
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Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith Cleared to play vs. Houston
Sat, Jan 10, 2026, 3:22 PM
Smith (glute) does not carry an injury designation into Monday's AFC wild-card game against the Texans, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Smith popped up on Friday's injury report as a limited practice participant due to a glute injury. He was able to log a full session Saturday, which was enough for him to fade an injury designation for Monday's playoff game. Smith logged just one catch (on two targets) for two yards during the Steelers' regular-season finale against the Ravens, and he'll operate as a rotational option in the passing game behind fellow tight end Pat Freiermuth. |
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Marquez Valdes-Scantling Marquez Valdes-Scantling Held to 14 catches in 2025
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 4:39 PM
Valdes-Scantling secured 14 of 29 targets for 120 yards and a touchdown over 10 regular-season appearances between the 49ers and Steelers in 2025.
Analysis: Valdes-Scantling began the 2025 campaign in San Francisco, where he saw limited work despite the team dealing with several absences at wide receiver, as he hauled in just four of eight targets for 40 yards. After being let go by the 49ers, he linked up with the Steelers -- and former teammate Aaron Rodgers -- to close out the year. Valdes-Scantling was slightly more productive in Pittsburgh, but most of his output (eight catches on 16 targets for 55 yards) came in the final two weeks of the regular season when DK Metcalf was suspended. Metcalf is slated to return for the playoffs, so Valdes-Scantling's workload in the postseason will likely be limited. While Valdes-Scantling's role in 2026 will depend on where he ends up, his fantasy upside has been limited over the past few seasons. |
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Kaleb Johnson Kaleb Johnson Disappointing workload as rookie
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 4:11 PM
Johnson recorded 28 carries for 69 yards while securing one of two targets for nine yards over 10 appearances during the 2025 regular season.
Analysis: Although Johnson was a third-round pick by the Steelers in the 2025 NFL Draft, playing time was hard to come by during his rookie year, as he played double-digit offensive snaps in just one game. He was also a healthy scratch for the final three weeks of the regular season. Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell served as the Steelers' clear top running backs throughout the year. Johnson could have a chance to compete for more work in 2026 if Gainwell -- who is slated to become an unrestricted free agent during the offseason -- heads elsewhere. Even if Gainwell plays for another team next year, Johnson could face an uphill battle for playing time as long as Warren remains in Pittsburgh. |
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Mason Rudolph Mason Rudolph Sees limited action in 2025
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 3:54 PM
Rudolph completed 38 of 52 passes for 310 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing seven times for six yards over five appearances during the 2025 regular season.
Analysis: The bulk of Rudolph's playing time during the regular season came in the middle of the year, as he entered the team's Week 11 matchup against Cincinnati in relief after Aaron Rodgers got hurt before starting against the Bears in Week 12. Rudolph will remain under contract with the Steelers for the 2026 campaign, but it wouldn't be surprising to see the team bring in other options at quarterback if Aaron Rodgers retires during the offseason. |
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Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith Added to injury report Friday
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 3:40 PM
Smith (glute) was limited at practice Friday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Smith worked fully Thursday, so his addition to the Steelers' injury report a day later is notable. Added context regarding the tight end's status for Monday night's playoff opener against the Texans is slated to arrive via Pittsburgh's final injury report Saturday. Though Smith had a five-catch effort Week 17 (when No. 1 wideout DK Metcalf was suspended), his production during the regular season was sporadic, resulting in a 38-222-2 line on 54 targets in 17 contests, a pace well off the career-best numbers he logged with Miami in 2024. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Back to full participation Friday
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 3:33 PM
Warren (illness) practiced without limitations Friday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Warren missed Thursday's practice due to an illness, but his return to full participation Friday assuages any concerns about his availability for Monday's wild-card home game against the Texans. He's set to split backfield duties with Kenneth Gainwell against the stout Houston defense, which allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards to running backs in the regular season. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Misses practice Thursday
Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 3:06 PM
Warren (illness) didn't practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: With a 'DNP' to start the practice week, Warren's status now merits monitoring in advance of Monday night's playoff opener against the Texans. The running back has two more chances to practice before the Steelers assign game designations for that contest Saturday. |
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Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith Minimal output in Week 18
Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 2:41 PM
Smith secured one of two targets for two yards while rushing once for two yards during Sunday's 26-24 win over Baltimore.
Analysis: Smith tied his season-high mark with five receptions during last week's loss to the Browns, but he wasn't as involved in the passing game Week 18 while playing 44 percent of the team's offensive snaps. Although Darnell Washington (forearm, IR) will remain sidelined to begin the playoffs, Smith is unlikely to be a reliable contributor for Pittsburgh during postseason play. Smith hauled in just 38 of 54 targets for 222 yards and two touchdowns and rushed nine times for 70 yards and a score while appearing in all 17 games during the regular season. |
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Adam Thielen Adam Thielen Racks up 43 yards in victory
Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 2:37 PM
Thielen secured three of six targets for 43 yards during Sunday's 26-24 win over the Ravens.
Analysis: Thielen was on the field for 67 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps during Sunday's regular-season finale, and he topped 40 receiving yards for the second time in five appearances since joining the team. DK Metcalf (suspension) is slated to return to action for next Monday's wild-card matchup against Houston, so Thielen's role will likely decrease during postseason action. Overall, Thielen had a limited role between the Vikings and Steelers during the regular season, securing 19 of 35 targets for 186 yards and no touchdowns across 16 appearances. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Back from suspension
Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 12:24 PM
Metcalf will return to action for the Steelers' Jan. 12 wild-card matchup with the Texans after his two-game suspension was lifted Monday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Metcalf was handed the two-game ban following the Steelers' Week 16 win in Detroit after the NFL determined that he initiated a physical confrontation with a fan during that contest. Without their top wideout over the final two games of the regular season, the Steelers lost to the Browns in Week 17 but were able to punch their ticket to the postseason by claiming the AFC North crown with a 26-24 win over the Ravens on Sunday. Though the Steelers face a daunting matchup in the wild-card round against a staunch Texans defense, the return of Metcalf will at least give Pittsburgh a much-needed downfield threat on the perimeter. Over his 15 appearances during the regular season, Metcalf recorded 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns on 99 targets to go with two carries for 12 yards and another score. |
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