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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Likely on track to play Monday
Tue, Dec 9, 2025, 12:17 PM
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that he doesn't expect Metcalf's (stomach) availability for the team's Week 15 game against the Dolphins to be in any peril, though the wideout's practice reps could be affected, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.
Analysis: Following a stellar outing in the Steelers' Week 14 win over the Ravens in which he caught seven of 12 targets for a season-high 148 receiving yards, Metcalf was admitted to a Baltimore-area hospital when he reported stomach pain on the team flight. Metcalf's stomach discomfort appeared to stem from a hard shot he took during Sunday's game, but a significant internal injury was seemingly ruled out following his hospital stay. Tomlin intimated that Metcalf will open Week 15 prep as a limited participant, but the early expectation is that he'll be cleared to handle his usual duties as the Steelers' No. 1 receiver by the time Monday's game arrives. |
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Marquez Valdes-Scantling Marquez Valdes-Scantling Back with practice squad
Mon, Dec 8, 2025, 8:41 PM
Valdes-Scantling reverted to the Steelers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Analysis: Valdes-Scantling was elevated to the active roster for the first time with Pittsburgh, failing to catch his only target in Sunday's 27-22 win over the Ravens. The wide receiver logged 16 offensive snaps, which was tied for third most at his position with Calvin Austin behind DK Metcalf (43) and Adam Thielen (25). Valdes-Scantling can be elevated two more times before the team would have to officially sign him to the active roster. |
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Adam Thielen Adam Thielen Held to one catch in team debut
Mon, Dec 8, 2025, 11:06 AM
Thielen secured his lone target for four yards during Sunday's 27-22 win over the Ravens.
Analysis: Although Thielen's target share was low, it was encouraging that he was on the field for 48 percent of the team's offensive snaps after being claimed off waivers from the Vikings on Tuesday. The 35-year-old had a disappointing start to the year, securing just eight of 18 targets for 69 yards. While he could see more playing time in Pittsburgh down the stretch, the Steelers' passing game has struggled to find much success under Aaron Rodgers, so Thielen's fantasy upside figures to remain limited. |
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Pat Freiermuth Pat Freiermuth Logs nine receiving yards in win
Mon, Dec 8, 2025, 10:59 AM
Freiermuth secured two of three targets for nine yards during Sunday's 27-22 win over the Ravens.
Analysis: Freiermuth led the Steelers' tight ends in playing time, taking the field for 60 percent of the team's offensive snaps. However, he had minimal fantasy production for a second consecutive week. The 2021 second-rounder had put together a string of seven consecutive performances with double-digit receiving yards following Pittsburgh's Week 5 bye, but he was held without a target last week against Buffalo before this week's disappointing performance. Darnell Washington exited Sunday's Week 14 matchup due to a concussion, but Freiermuth would still be battling Jonnu Smith for snaps and targets if Washington is forced to miss additional time. |
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Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith No catches in Week 14
Mon, Dec 8, 2025, 10:54 AM
Smith failed to secure his lone target during Sunday's 27-22 win over Baltimore.
Analysis: Smith has had limited involvement in the passing game during his first season with the Steelers, but he's been especially unproductive recently, securing just five of 10 targets for 31 yards while rushing twice for seven yards over his last five appearances. It's not yet clear whether Darnell Washington (concussion) will be forced to miss additional time after exiting Sunday's win, but Smith would still be battling Pat Freiermuth for snaps and targets if Washington is sidelined. |
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Calvin Austin Calvin Austin Racks up 31 yards in win
Mon, Dec 8, 2025, 10:50 AM
Austin secured one of two targets for 31 yards during Sunday's 27-22 win over the Ravens.
Analysis: Austin was held without a catch last week against Buffalo for the first time in the 2025 campaign, but he bounced back in Week 14 by logging a deep reception in the third quarter. The 2022 fourth-rounder has been inconsistent this year, but he's recorded double-digit receiving yards in five of his last seven appearances, securing 17 of 19 targets for 170 yards during that time. Austin hasn't found his way into the end zone since Week 3, however. |
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Kaleb Johnson Kaleb Johnson Another minimal workload in Week 14
Mon, Dec 8, 2025, 10:46 AM
Johnson rushed twice for four yards during Sunday's 27-22 win over the Ravens.
Analysis: The Steelers' running game failed to make much of an impact in Week 14, as Kenneth Gainwell led the team with four carries for 15 yards and a touchdown, while Jaylen Warren produced an inefficient 13 yards on eight carries. However, those two backs saw a nearly even split of playing time, with Warren playing 50 percent of the offensive snaps and Gainwell playing 48 percent. Johnson was once again the clear No. 3 back, as he was on the field for just three offensive snaps against Baltimore. The rookie has been limited to single-digit snaps in each of his last five appearances, and he's rushed 12 times for 29 yards while securing his lone target for nine yards during that time. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Dealing with stomach issue
Mon, Dec 8, 2025, 8:09 AM
Metcalf was hospitalized with a stomach issue following Sunday's victory over the Ravens, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Analysis: Metcalf took a hard hit during Sunday's contest, per the report, and he was sent to the hospital "out of an abundance of caution" after "experiencing stomach pains" once he'd boarded the Steelers' team flight. Metcalf wound up staying overnight in Baltimore for observation, but he was cleared to fly back to Pittsburgh on Monday. It's unclear how the injury will affect the wideout's status for a Week 15 matchup with the Dolphins, but he will be afforded an extra day to rest and recover before the Monday nighter. |
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Kenneth Gainwell Kenneth Gainwell Finds end zone as rusher
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 10:34 PM
Gainwell rushed the ball four times for 15 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-22 win over the Ravens. He added six receptions on seven targets for 27 yards.
Analysis: The Steelers continued their recent pattern of work in the backfield, with Jaylen Warren serving as the traditional lead back and Gainwell mixing in primarily on passing downs. Despite that, Gainwell made his biggest impact on a six-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter -- his first rushing score since Week 4. While he was ineffective as a receiver, Gainwell now has at least six catches in three of his last four games. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Finds end zone as receiver
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 10:17 PM
Warren rushed the ball eight times for 13 yards in Sunday's 27-22 win over the Ravens. He added three receptions on three targets for 49 yards and a touchdown.
Analysis: The Steelers' offense had an abysmal showing on the ground, as their 17 rushing attempts led to only 34 yards. Warren still led the backfield in attempts, but his only impact on the game came as a pass catcher, and in particular on a 38-yard touchdown catch late in the third quarter. Warren has been touchdown-reliant for the last several weeks due to his inefficiency as a rusher, but he has found the end zone in three straight contests and has five scores in his last six games. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Gets more aggressive
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 10:10 PM
Rodgers completed 23 of 34 passes for 284 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in Sunday's 27-22 win over the Ravens. He added two rushes for zero yards and a touchdown.
Analysis: Rodgers entered the game with one of the lowest average intended air yards in the league, but he took plenty of downfield shots in Sunday's divisional matchup. He was particularly effective targeting DK Metcalf, as the duo connected for long gains of 52 and 41 yards. Rodgers also accounted for multiple scores for the first time since Week 8, beginning with a one-yard touchdown scamper and later on a 38-yard pass -- most of which came after the catch -- to Jaylen Warren. It's difficult to trust the Steelers' passing offense moving forward, but Rodgers could keep the momentum going with a favorable Week 15 matchup against Miami. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Best showing as Steeler
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 6:24 PM
Metcalf recorded seven receptions on 12 targets for 148 yards in Sunday's 27-22 win over the Ravens.
Analysis: Metcalf entered Sunday's game having failed to top 55 yards in seven consecutive games while logging only two receptions of at least 20 yards in that span. That changed quickly in the pivotal divisional matchup, hitting for a 52-yard reception on the Steelers' opening possession while logging three catches of at least 20 yards. Metcalf was able to log his first 100-yard performance since Week 4 as a result, while also logging his highest reception and yardage total of the campaign. Given his track record this season, Metcalf remains difficult to trust, though he does enter a fairly favorable Week 15 matchup against the Dolphins. |
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Darnell Washington Darnell Washington Won't return Sunday
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 1:35 PM
Washington (concussion) won't return to Sunday's game against the Ravens. Burt Lauten of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Washington, who caught his only target in the contest for 12 yards, will thus target a potential return to action Dec. 15 against the Dolphins. Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth and Connor Heyward are left to handle Pittsburgh's TE duties for the remainder of Week 14 action. |
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Darnell Washington Darnell Washington Leaves Sunday's game
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 1:15 PM
Washington is being evaluated for a possible concussion during Sunday's game against the Ravens, Burt Lauten of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Before exiting the contest, Washington caught his only target for 12 yards. While he's unavailable, Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth and Connor Heyward are left to handle Pittsburgh's TE duties on Sunday. |
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Will Howard Will Howard Emergency QB for Week 14
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 11:11 AM
Howard (coach's decision) is inactive but will serve as the Steelers' emergency third quarterback against the Ravens on Sunday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: For a second consecutive week, Howard will be the Steelers' emergency QB3, meaning he's restricted from playing Sunday unless both Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph leave the game due to injury, illness or ejection. |
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Marquez Valdes-Scantling Marquez Valdes-Scantling Active to face Ravens
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 10:54 AM
Valdes-Scantling is active for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Valdes-Scantling has been on Pittsburgh's practice squad since early November, and he'll make his team debut roughly one month later. He's likely to serve as the team's fourth receiver behind DK Metcalf, Adam Thielen and Calvin Austin, but he should still find himself on the field for plenty of snaps. While he's reunited with Aaron Rodgers, Valdes-Scantling isn't likely to make a fantasy impact. |
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Adam Thielen Adam Thielen Set for Steelers debut
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 10:51 AM
Thielen is active for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: Thielen was claimed off waivers by the Steelers on Tuesday and will now be active just five days later. Pittsburgh has been without a viable No. 2 receiver behind DK Metcalf all season, so Thielen should be in for a significant role immediately. However, due to limited pass volume and his own declining skill set, that role still isn't likely to lead to fantasy relevance in most formats. |
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Roman Wilson Roman Wilson Healthy scratch
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 10:48 AM
Wilson (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Ravens, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Analysis: The Steelers added Adam Thielen and elevated Marquez Valdes-Scantling from the practice squad this week, giving their wide-receiver corps some depth. That pushed Wilson down the depth chart, though the team opted to make Scotty Miller active ahead of him, after Miller had previously been a healthy scratch. This will mark Wilson's first missed game of the season. |
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Marquez Valdes-Scantling Marquez Valdes-Scantling Elevated from practice squad
Sat, Dec 6, 2025, 2:54 PM
The Steelers elevated Valdes-Scantling from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game versus the Ravens, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Valdes-Scantling could make his debut with Pittsburgh during Sunday's matchup after joining the practice squad early last month. The 31-year-old caught four passes for 40 yards across five appearances with the 49ers earlier in the season and will likely serve as a depth receiver versus Baltimore. |
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Ben Skowronek Ben Skowronek Cleared for Sunday
Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 3:24 PM
Skowronek (shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Skowronek upgraded to full practice participation Friday, just in time to dodge an injury designation ahead of Sunday's divisional tilt. The depth wide receiver has three receptions on five targets for 56 yards and a touchdown this season and has not missed a game. |
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