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Russell Wilson Russell Wilson Injury downplayed, but no timetable
Fri, Jul 26, 2024, 12:18 PM
Wilson (calf) did not practice Friday and declined to put a timetable on his return, but said the injury is "nothing too serious," Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Wilson said his calf injury, which coach Mike Tomlin described as tightness, was sustained while pushing a sled during conditioning tests. Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, Tomlin said Friday's absence wasn't the result of a setback for Wilson, but rather, a result of the Steelers taking a cautious approach "to keep a minor thing from becoming major," and Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the veteran QB could suit up if Pittsburgh had a game to play. Meanwhile, the situation has provided Justin Fields a chance to handle first-team reps and potentially begin building some momentum of his own in a quarterback competition that has thus far seemed strongly tilted in Wilson's favor. It remains to be seen how first-team snaps at the quarterback position will be split once Wilson returns to the field. |
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Justin Fields Justin Fields Working with starters sans Wilson
Fri, Jul 26, 2024, 12:02 PM
Fields is getting regular first-team reps while Russell Wilson misses a few days of practice with a calf injury, ESPN's Brooke Pryor reports.
Analysis: Wilson first noticed calf tightness Thursday morning and has since been limited to observer status in back-to-back practices. He reportedly wanted to participate but was held back by the coaching staff, which suggests it isn't a major injury and the 35-year-old will be back in action soon enough. Coach Mike Tomlin said "nothing has changed" in regard to Wilson having "pole position" for the Week 1 start, but this at least gives Fields the opportunity to take more reps with the players he'll be throwing to if he ends up under center at some point in-season. Tomlin declined to elaborate on a plan for dividing first-team QB reps once Wilson returns to practice. |
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Russell Wilson Russell Wilson Held back by minor calf injury
Thu, Jul 25, 2024, 11:35 AM
Wilson missed Thursday's practice due to calf tightness and is considered day-to-day, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports that Wilson wanted to practice but was held back by the coaching staff, which gave fellow offseason addition Justin Fields an opportunity to dominate first-team reps. The expectation remains that Wilson will be under center come Week 1, leading a remade offense with a new coordinator (Arthur Smith), two early draft picks on the O-line (OT Troy Fautanu, C Zach Frazier) and open competition for WR spots behind top option George Pickens. |
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Cordarrelle Patterson Cordarrelle Patterson Dealing with hamstring issue
Wed, Jul 24, 2024, 6:46 PM
The Steelers placed Patterson on the reserve/non-football injury list Wednesday with a hamstring injury, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Patterson was evidently injured while away from the team, hence his placement on the NFI list. He can be activated at any time during training camp or the preseason. Patterson signed a two-year deal with the Steelers in the offseason, giving Pittsburgh an experienced return man as well as depth out of the backfield behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. |
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Van Jefferson Van Jefferson Early favorite for WR2 job
Fri, Jul 12, 2024, 9:58 AM
Jefferson has "pole position" to be Pittsburgh's No. 2 wide receiver, according to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic.
Analysis: The Steelers signed four wide receivers with NFL starting experience between January and May, also bringing in Quez Watkins, Scotty Miller and Marquez Callaway. They've each had exactly one season with 500-plus receiving yards, either in 2020 or 2021. Jefferson's so-called pole position prior to training camp may not mean much, as he'll face competition not only from the aforementioned veterans, but also 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson and 2023 third-rounder Calvin Austin. It looks like a wide-open competition for snaps/roles behind runaway No. 1 receiver George Pickens. |
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Russell Wilson Russell Wilson Remains in lead for starter gig
Tue, Jun 25, 2024, 12:33 PM
Wilson remains the clear favorite to start Week 1 under center for Pittsburgh and has made a good impression on his new coaching staff throughout OTAs and June minicamp, Chris Ward of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Wilson has impressed with arm talent and leadership throughout spring activities, per Mark Kaboldy of The Athletic, and he's reportedly dominated first-team reps to this point. Justin Fields could push for more opportunities during training camp, but for the time being, there's been nothing to suggest any shift from coach Mike Tomlin's remark early in the offseason that Wilson is in the "pole position" to start Week 1 under center. Experience and consistency alone could make enough difference for Wilson, a 35-year-old veteran, to win the starting gig over Fields, but he'll face pressure to keep Pittsburgh in the playoff race, given that he's playing on only a one-year contract. |
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Darnell Washington Darnell Washington Could see more opportunities
Thu, May 30, 2024, 11:12 AM
In his second season as a pro, Washington believes that there's a "strong possibility" he can emerge as more of a receiving threat, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: In 17 regular-season contests as a rookie last season, Washington caught just seven of his 10 targets for 61 yards, but with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on board, the 2023 third-rounder is a candidate to see more pass-catching opportunities in what figures to be a more tight-end friendly offense in Pittsburgh. At 6-foot-7, 264 pounds, Washington has the size to continue to make his mark as a run blocker, but the Georgia product has some untapped potential as a receiver and should have an opportunity to demonstrate that more in 2024, while working behind top option Pat Freiermuth in a TE corps that also includes Connor Heyward and MyCole Pruitt. |
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Calvin Austin Calvin Austin Set to compete for WR slotting
Thu, May 30, 2024, 10:47 AM
As the coming season approaches, Austin is in line to compete with several newcomers for depth chart slotting behind top wideout George Pickens, Chris Ward of Steelersnow.com reports.
Analysis: In the wake of the offseason departures of Diontae Johnson and Allen Robinson, the Steelers added Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins and Scott Miller via free agency and used a third-round draft pick on Roman Wilson. Austin, who was taken in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, is coming off a 2023 regular season in which he caught 17 of his 30 targets for 180 yards and a TD while rushing 11 times for 57 yards and a TD in 17 games. In his third season as a pro, the speedy 5-foot-9, 162-pounder has an opportunity to carve out an increased role in Pittsburgh's offense under new coordinator Arthur Smith. |
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La'Mical Perine La'Mical Perine Inks deal with Pittsburgh
Thu, May 23, 2024, 6:28 PM
Perine and the Steelers agreed on a one-year contract Thursday.
Analysis: Perine was waived by Kansas City on Friday and it took less than a week for him to find a new home in Pittsburgh. The running back compiled 77 rushing yards on 22 carries while also recording three catches for 33 yards over five games with Kansas City in 2023. He'll likely operate as an extreme depth option for the Steelers behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren if he secures an active roster spot in 2024. |
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Jonathan Ward Jonathan Ward Inks one-year deal in Pittsburgh
Tue, May 21, 2024, 9:26 AM
The Steelers signed Ward to a one-year contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Ward handled a depth role across eight regular-season appearances with the Titans in 2023. He'll now get a chance to compete for a similar reserve spot in Pittsburgh, where Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson stand above him on the depth chart. |
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Najee Harris Najee Harris Dropping weight for contract season
Fri, May 17, 2024, 9:12 AM
Harris' trainer said Friday the running back has dropped to around 235 pounds this offseason after playing at 242 during the 2023 season, and that he's increasingly motivated after the Steelers declined his fifth-year option, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.
Analysis: Harris is heading into the final season of his rookie deal with Pittsburgh, so there's no doubt about his motivation to log a productive year and earn sizeable payday for 2025. Playing at a lower weight could help Harris' efficiency metrics, and there's also some reason to be optimistic that he now finds himself in a better scenario than 2023, when he set new career-high marks with eight rushing touchdowns and 4.1 YPC. Rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu should represent an upgrade to the O-line, and while there are question marks surrounding Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, both have the potential to command a more effective offense than Kenny Pickett did. Harris is capable of handling 20-plus touches but also dependent on volume to produce, making the emergence of Jaylen Warren the biggest threat to his fantasy prospects. |
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Scotty Miller Scott Miller Lands in Pittsburgh
Wed, May 8, 2024, 2:15 PM
Miller agreed to terms Wednesday on a one-year contract with the Steelers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Miller reunites with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in Pittsburgh, after he logged a 11-161-2 receiving line across 17 appearances in 2023 in Atlanta, where Smith had served as the head coach. The wideout now gets a chance to compete with names like Quez Watkins, Denzel Mims, Marquez Callaway and Dez Fitzpatrick for a depth role with the Steelers this offseason. |
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Najee Harris Najee Harris Pittsburgh declines 2025 option
Thu, May 2, 2024, 3:01 PM
The Steelers declined their 2025 option on Harris' contract, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: This comes as somewhat of a surprise after Harris has posted three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons since being selected 24th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Most impressively, Harris has never missed a game at a position that sees so many injuries. He's been a model of toughness and durability, even if the stats haven't particularly jumped off the page with a career 3.9 yards-per-carry average. Harris, however, did rush for a career-best eight touchdowns last season, averaging a three year-best 4.1 yards per carry. Harris is now tentatively schedule to hit free agency next March, though Adam Schefter of ESPN notes that the Steelers aren't ruling out reaching a deal with the 26-year-old running back before then. |
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Justin Fields Justin Fields Won't get fifth-year option
Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 9:04 AM
The Steelers aren't expected to pick up the fifth-year option on Fields' rookie contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: It perhaps goes without saying, given that Fields is coming in as the second QB on the depth chart and would be guaranteed around $25.66 million in 2025 if the Steelers were to pick up his option before the May 2 deadline. While the team may have interest in keeping him around beyond the upcoming season, it won't be at that price before he's ever put on a Steelers uniform. Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports that fellow offseason acquisition Russell Wilson will enter offseason workouts in "pole position" at quarterback, with Fields then getting a chance to compete at some point in the future, according to coach Mike Tomlin. Fields is on track to be a free agent next spring, and his playing time between now and then seems largely dependent on Wilson struggling. |
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MyCole Pruitt MyCole Pruitt Joining Pittsburgh
Thu, Apr 4, 2024, 7:36 PM
Pruitt signed with Pittsburgh on Thursday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Pruitt has consistently worked as a backup tight end, primarily as a blocker. He'll take on a similar role with the Steelers and should pair well with Darnell Washington to aid the run game. Pruitt is reunited with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith after also playing under him in Tennessee and Atlanta. |
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Pat Freiermuth Pat Freiermuth Hoping to re-sign long term
Thu, Apr 4, 2024, 9:02 AM
Freiermuth said Wednesday on the Around the 412 Podcast that he wants to stay in Pittsburgh for the rest of his career, per Chris Ward of Steelers Now.
Analysis: The tight end is in a contract year, following a down 2023 season in which a hamstring injury cost him five games and may have limited his playing time in a few others. He caught nine passes for 120 yards in a Week 12 win over the Bengals and had five catches for 76 yards in a playoff loss to Buffalo, but otherwise Freiermuth had just 23 receptions for 188 yards and two TDs in 11 appearances. He was far more active in the passing game as a rookie (60-497-7) and again in 2022 (63-732-2), and he could be Option B behind WR George Pickens in 2024 after the Steelers hired OC Arthur Smith and traded WR Diontae Johnson to the Panthers. While Smith figures to prioritize the running game, his affinity for multi-TE formations could put Freiermuth in a near-every-down role for the first time (he averaged 42.7 snaps per game in 2021, 46.4 in 2022 and 39.5 in 2023). |
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Cordarrelle Patterson Cordarrelle Patterson Takes talents to Pittsburgh
Tue, Mar 26, 2024, 3:24 PM
The Steelers and Patterson agreed to terms on a two-year, $6 million contract Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: With this move to Pittsburgh, Patterson reunites with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, with whom he worked under the past three seasons in Atlanta. Patterson reeled off 1,313 rushing yards, 670 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns in 29 games between 2021 and 2022, but he fell off almost completely working behind Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier in the most recent campaign (219 yards from scrimmage, one TD in 14 contests). Upon joining the Steelers, Patterson will be in a similar spot as the No. 3 RB behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, but the 33-year-old's ability as a kick returner likely will be where he makes his mark with his new squad. |
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Kyle Allen Kyle Allen Lands in Pittsburgh
Mon, Mar 25, 2024, 1:32 PM
The Steelers agreed to terms on a contract with Allen on Monday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Allen lands in a quarterback room that just brought in new faces Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Currently, Wilson looks to be the favorite to start, though coach Mike Tomlin has stated that Fields will get opportunities to compete. Allen, meanwhile, looks firmly comfortable as the No. 3 option on the depth chart. He served as the backup to the Bills' Josh Allen in 2023. |
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Quez Watkins Quez Watkins Joining Pittsburgh
Mon, Mar 25, 2024, 10:26 AM
Watkins is signing with the Steelers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: A 2020 sixth-round pick, Watkins made 25 starts for Philadelphia over the past four seasons but never saw more than 62 targets in a year. His 4.35 speed is his best trait, and he'll now join a Steelers team with only George Pickens entrenched as a starting wide receiver. Pittsburgh's other options at the position include Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Denzel Mims and Marquez Callaway, with more help possibly coming during the 2024 NFL Draft. |
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Justin Fields Justin Fields Chance to compete for QB1 job?
Mon, Mar 25, 2024, 9:09 AM
Coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that Fields "will be given an opportunity to show his capabilities" even though Russell Wilson "has pole position" to be Pittsburgh's starting quarterback in 2024, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: It's still not quite clear if the Steelers' two new quarterbacks will compete for the starting job this spring/summer, as Tomlin's comments also could be interpreted as a suggestion that Wilson will be the No. 1 but without any assurances of staying in the spot if he struggles in practice (and eventually games). Reports shortly after Fields was traded suggested he'd be coming in as a clear backup, though it's probably worth noting that the QB-related reporting out of Pittsburgh this offseason has been rather unreliable. In any case, the team did well to acquire Wilson on a one-year, $1.21 million contract, later adding Fields in exchange for a sixth-round pick (that can become a fourth-rounder if he plays more than half the snaps in 2024). Neither QB is signed beyond the upcoming season, and the Steelers are unlikely to pick up the fifth-year option on Fields' rookie contract before the May 2 deadline. |
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