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Poised to start Week 5
Thu, Oct 8, 2026, 6:17 PM
Spears-Jennings is on track to start Sunday's contest against the Colts, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reports.
Analysis: Spears-Jennings was able to notch seven total tackles (six solo) and an interception in the team's Week 4 loss to the Browns. Head coach Mike McCarthy praised the rookie Thursday, outlining that Spears-Jennings has "been productive in every opportunity" that the team has given him. Spears-Jennings out snapped fellow safety Rayshawn Jenkins versus Cleveland, and Spears-Jennings figures to operate as the team's starting strong safety Sunday versus Indianapolis. |
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Returns to practice Thursday
Thu, Oct 8, 2026, 5:24 PM
Elliott (undisclosed) returned to practice Thursday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Elliott's 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve opened Thursday. While Elliott was only back on the practice field in a limited capacity, it was still a step in the right direction. However, despite his presence at practice Thursday, the team might need to wait a few more weeks before he's ready to suit up, with Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reporting the veteran defensive back's return may not happen until the Steelers play the Saints in Paris on Oct. 25. |
Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Remains limited in practice
Thu, Oct 8, 2026, 3:17 PM
Dowdle (toe) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Dowdle practiced for the second day in a row, albeit with a cap on his reps. Earlier Thursday, head coach Mike McCarthy told Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com that Dowdle's status for Sunday's game against the Colts is still up in the air, though the running back would put himself in good position to play this weekend if he's able to upgrade to full practice participation Friday. If Dowdle ultimately suits up versus the Colts, he'll likely be Option 1B in the backfield behind Jaylen Warren, who has averaged 6.5 yards per carry and 13.7 yards per reception over the past two weeks while Dowdle has been sidelined with a dislocated toe on his right foot. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Chance to return against Colts
Thu, Oct 8, 2026, 10:56 AM
Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said prior to Thursday's practice that Dowdle's (toe) status for Sunday's game against the Colts is up in the air, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reports.
Analysis: Dowdle was listed as limited at Wednesday's practice after he missed the past two games due to a dislocated toe. Jaylen Warren has functioned as Pittsburgh's lead back in Dowdle's absence, but McCarthy has said that once Dowdle is healthy, he plans to use the two players as part of a "one-two punch" in the backfield. It's unclear if that arrangement will be in place Sunday, however, as Dowdle's availability for that contest will hinge on what he's able to do during practices Thursday and Friday. |
Michael Pittman Jr. Michael Pittman Jr. Aggravates foot injury
Thu, Oct 8, 2026, 10:52 AM
Pittman is expected to miss multiple weeks after aggravating his foot injury, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Thursday.
Analysis: Pittman missed Pittsburgh's Week 2 loss to the Patriots due to a foot issue and had just four catches for 31 yards across two subsequent appearances. He's facing a multi-week absence after aggravating that injury in practice leading up to the Steelers' Week 5 matchup against the Colts. The team has yet to decide whether to place Pittman on IR, in which case he would be required to sit out a minimum of four weeks. |
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Michael Pittman Jr. Michael Pittman Jr. Manages limited practice Wednesday
Wed, Oct 7, 2026, 3:16 PM
Pittman (foot) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Pittman sat out the Steelers' Week 2 loss to the Patriots due to a foot issue, but he proceeded to suit up for the team's subsequent two games, playing north of 70 percent of snaps in both contests while producing a combined 4-31-0 receiving line on nine targets. The Steelers haven't indicated that Pittman is dealing with any major setback coming out of this past Thursday's loss to the Browns, even though he was spotted moving around the locker room Wednesday with a one-legged scooter and no shoe on his left foot, per Mark Kaboly of 93.7 The Fan Pittsburgh. Pittman's ability to practice in some fashion to kick off Week 5 prep suggests that he remains likely to play this Sunday against the Colts. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Officially limited Wednesday
Wed, Oct 7, 2026, 3:06 PM
Dowdle (toe) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Earlier Wednesday, head coach Mike McCarthy told Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Dowdle would be part of the rehab group to begin Week 5 prep, but the running back was apparently able to fit in enough work behind the scenes to log his first practice activity since dislocating a toe in the Steelers' Week 2 loss to New England. Given that he's missed the Steelers' past two games, Dowdle may need to upgrade to full practice participation by the end of the week in order to get cleared to play Sunday versus the Colts. If Dowdle is available this weekend, McCarthy has previously indicated that he would likely reclaim his spot in a backfield timeshare with Jaylen Warren, who has thrived while handling an every-down role over the past two games. |
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Michael Pittman Jr. Michael Pittman Jr. Still dealing with foot issue
Wed, Oct 7, 2026, 1:54 PM
Pittman was spotted in the Pittsburgh locker room Wednesday using a one-legged scooter with his left foot propped up, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reports.
Analysis: Pittman missed the Steelers' Week 2 loss to the Patriots due to a foot issue, though he was able to play in both of the Steelers' last two contests. The wideout may have just been using the scooter as a precaution, but at the very least, it's an indication that he hasn't yet made a full recovery from the injury. The veteran receiver's participation in practices Wednesday through Friday will ultimately determine whether he suits up this Sunday, when the Steelers will be taking on his former Colts squad. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Not practicing Wednesday
Wed, Oct 7, 2026, 11:01 AM
Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said that Dowdle (toe) will remain in the rehab group for Wednesday's practice, but the running back is expected to do more on-field work later in the week, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Dowdle has been sidelined for Pittsburgh's last two games due to an injury that he relayed Tuesday was a dislocated toe on his right foot, per Will Graves of the Associated Press. He said that he dislocated the toe twice during the Steelers' Week 2 loss to the Patriots, checking back into the game for a brief spell after popping the toe back in before it popped back out again. He sounds like he's making some progress, but he'll likely need to practice in some fashion Thursday and/or Friday to have a shot at playing Sunday versus the Colts. Jaylen Warren has handled heavy workloads the past two weeks in Dowdle's absence, though McCarthy told Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com on Monday that he envisions the two backs forming a "one-two punch" once Dowdle returns to action. |
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Signed to active roster with Pittsburgh
Tue, Oct 6, 2026, 6:48 PM
Smith was signed to the Steelers active roster Tuesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official website reports.
Analysis: Smith will head to Pittsburgh after spending the first few weeks of the season as a member of the Commanders' practice squad. The cornerback played in 14 regular-season contests with the Bears in 2024, compiling 19 total tackles (14 solo) and four passes defensed, including an interception. Smith will likely operate primary as a special-teams asset with the Steelers, but he could garner some snaps on defense in Week 5 against Indianapolis with Jamel Dean (ankle) expected to be sidelined. |
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Signs with Pittsburgh
Mon, Oct 5, 2026, 7:19 PM
The Steelers signed Murphy-Bunting off the Buccaneers' practice squad Monday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: The Cardinals cut Murphy-Bunting during cutdown day in late August. The cornerback then found his way to the Buccaneers' practice squad after being neglected by NFL active rosters. With Jamel Dean (ankle) hurt and Joey Porter recently traded to the Cowboys, the Steelers needed depth at defensive back. Murphy-Bunting played in 15 regular-season games for the Cardinals during the 2025 season, logging 52 tackles (30 solo), five passes defensed, including three interceptions, and two forced fumbles over 698 defensive snaps and 56 special-teams snaps. |
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Lands on IR
Mon, Oct 5, 2026, 4:23 PM
The Steelers placed Harmon (foot) on injured reserve Monday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: After exiting Thursday's 27-24 loss to the Browns due to the foot issue, Harmon's move to IR ensures that he'll be sidelined through the Steelers' Week 9 bye. While Harmon is sidelined, Yahya Black could be called upon to take on an expanded role on the defensive line alongside Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Progressing, could play Week 5
Mon, Oct 5, 2026, 3:38 PM
Head coach Mike McCarthy said that Dowdle (toe) had a positive workout Friday and is "making progress" in his recovery, but the Steelers aren't yet certain if he'll be available to play Week 5 versus the Colts, Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com reports.
Analysis: Dowdle's right toe injury has kept him out for the past two games, with his consecutive absences enabling Jaylen Warren to take on a heightened role out of the backfield as Pittsburgh's clear top option. Though Warren has ran efficiently (6.5 yards per carry) on heavy volume (34 totes) while chipping in six receptions for 82 yards over the last two weeks, McCarthy emphasized that Dowdle will likely remain part of a "one-two punch" with Warren once he returns. Before sustaining the injury Week 2, Dowdle had struggled to find open running room, taking his 15 carries for just 37 yards (2.5 average). |
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Likely to miss time with ankle injury
Sun, Oct 4, 2026, 8:10 AM
The Steelers could be without Dean for "a couple of weeks" after he exited Thursday's 27-24 loss to the Browns due to an ankle injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Pittsburgh's depth at cornerback was already being tested after Joey Porter sat out the team's first three games before he was traded to the Cowboys on Wednesday, so the loss of Dean for any length of time would represent another big hit to the secondary. Assuming the ankle injury keeps Dean out for at least the Steelers' Week 5 game against the Colts, Asante Samuel and Daylen Everette would likely be called upon to serve as starters at the boundary corner spots. |
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Facing multi-week absence
Sun, Oct 4, 2026, 8:05 AM
Harmon is expected to miss multiple weeks after exiting Thursday's 27-24 loss to the Browns due to a foot injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: While the Steelers are confident that Harmon avoided a long-term or season-ending injury, the foot issue could be significant enough to force him to injured reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. A 2025 first-round pick, Harmon had gotten off to a solid start to his second NFL season, racking up 12 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble through Pittsburgh's first four contests. |
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Plays all defensive snaps in loss
Fri, Oct 2, 2026, 8:53 PM
Brisker made seven tackles (four solo) in Thursday night's 27-24 loss to the Browns.
Analysis: Brisker played all 62 of the Steelers' defensive snaps in the contest. The starting free safety's seven tackles tied Robert Spears-Jennings and Cameron Heyward for second on the Steelers, behind Payton Wilson's nine. |
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Five tackles in loss
Fri, Oct 2, 2026, 8:51 PM
Queen made five tackles (three solo) in Thursday night's 27-24 loss to the Browns.
Analysis: Queen played all 62 of the Steelers' defensive snaps in the contest. The linebacker has continued his perfect streak, participating in all 234 defensive plays for the team through four regular-season contests in 2026. Queen's five tackles were middle-of-the-pack on the night, but that total fell well below the linebacker's 13 tackles in Week 3. |
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Notches sack in loss
Fri, Oct 2, 2026, 8:48 PM
Watt logged four solo tackles, including 1.0 sacks, and one pass defensed in Thursday night's 27-24 loss to the Browns.
Analysis: All four of Watt's tackles were solo endeavors, with one of the four being a sack on quarterback Deshaun Watson and another being a run stuff in the backfield. The outside linebacker recovered well after a Week 3 win over the Bengals, when he was all but non-existent in the box score. |
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Logs pair of passes defensed in loss
Fri, Oct 2, 2026, 8:46 PM
Spears-Jennings logged seven tackles (six solo) and two passes defensed in Thursday night's 27-24 loss to the Browns.
Analysis: Spears-Jennings' six solo tackles were second only to Payton Wilson on the night. The free safety's two passes defensed led the Steelers, and Spears-Jennings accounted for two of the team's seven breakups in the contest. The 22-year-old reached the total despite playing just 56 percent of the Steelers' defensive snaps. |
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Leads team in tackles
Fri, Oct 2, 2026, 8:43 PM
Wilson recorded nine tackles (seven solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Thursday night's 27-24 loss to the Browns.
Analysis: Wilson led the Steelers in tackles, playing 81 percent of the team's defensive snaps in the contest. The inside linebacker also reached Deshaun Watson for a sack, marking his first of the season through four games. |
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