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Marquez Valdes-Scantling Marquez Valdes-Scantling Minimal production on nine targets
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 10:53 PM
Valdes-Scantling recorded three receptions on nine targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Browns.
Analysis: Valdes-Scantling led Pittsburgh in targets in the absence of both DK Metcalf (suspension) and Calvin Austin (hamstring). However, he was unable to get on the same page with Aaron Rodgers, often seemingly a step or more off from where throws arrived. That was particularly noteworthy on the Steelers' final possession, as he was targeted three times unsuccessfully in the end zone to end the game. Even if Austin can return in Week 18 against the Ravens, Valdes-Scantling is likely to see a significant opportunity in a must-win matchup. |
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Pat Freiermuth Pat Freiermuth Big impact on final drive
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 10:39 PM
Freiermuth recorded three receptions on five targets for 63 yards in Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Browns.
Analysis: Freiermuth was curiously uninvolved for most of the game, but he was easily Pittsburgh's most productive pass catcher of the game. He logged a 23-yard reception just before halftime to set up a field goal and then recorded long gains of 29 and 11 yards on the team's final drive as they attempted to tie the game. Freiermuth should have the chance to step up again in Week 18 in a pivotal matchup against Baltimore with DK Metcalf (suspension) still sidelined and Darnell Washington (arm) likely to be out. |
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Adam Thielen Adam Thielen Flops despite Metcalf being out
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 8:23 PM
Thielen caught two passes for 14 yards on five targets in the Steelers' 13-6 loss to the Browns on Sunday.
Analysis: Despite DK Metcalf serving his suspension, Thielen was tied for third on the team in targets and finished sixth in receiving yards. At 35 years old, Thielen simply doesn't have a whole lot left in the tank while also playing in a passing offense that is unable to support more than one pass-catcher. |
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Kenneth Gainwell Kenneth Gainwell Limited to 38 yards
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 6:20 PM
Gainwell rushed the ball seven times for 26 yards in Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Browns. He added three receptions on four targets for 12 yards.
Analysis: The entire Steelers' offense was inefficient, and Gainwell's production similarly suffered. Positively, he maintained his role as Pittsburgh's primary pass catcher out of the backfield and ended the game with only two touches fewer than Jaylen Warren. However, Gainwell was held to his fewest yards from scrimmage since Week 10 heading into a pivotal Week 18 showdown with the Ravens that will decide the AFC North. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Limited to 12 touches
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 6:04 PM
Warren rushed the ball 12 times for 64 yards in Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Browns.
Analysis: The Steelers' backfield usage remained consistent from the last few weeks, with Warren serving as the primary rusher but losing out on opportunities as a pass catcher. He managed to make the most of his opportunity with long rushes of 15 and 13 yards, and his 5.3 yards per attempt marked one of his more efficient performances of the season. However, given the split backfield in Pittsburgh, Warren is reliant on finding the end zone to have a strong fantasy performance. He has a good chance of recording double-digit carries in a win-or-go-home matchup with the Ravens in Week 18. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Struggles against Cleveland
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 4:53 PM
Rodgers completed 21 of 39 passes for 168 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Browns. He added one rush for six yards.
Analysis: Rodgers was without both DK Metcalf (suspension) and Calvin Austin (hamstring) for the entire game, and Darnell Washington (arm) exited early on. That led to a conservative game plan and out-of-sync offense, with the end result being Rodgers averaging only 4.3 yards per attempt. He also accounted for 58 of his yards on Pittsburgh's final drive with long completions to Pat Freiermuth and Scotty Miller. This performance halted some positive momentum that Rodgers had built with recent performances, marking his first game without a touchdown and his lowest yardage total since Week 13. He'll now prepare for a division-deciding matchup against the Ravens in Week 18. |
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Darnell Washington Darnell Washington Suffers broken arm Sunday
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 3:14 PM
Coach Mike Tomlin said that Washington suffered a broken arm during Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Browns, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, Tomlin said he didn't know if Washington will be out for the Steelers' regular-season finale against the Ravens, with the AFC North title on the line; however, it seems very likely that Washington will miss that contest, at a minimum. If so, Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith would pace Pittsburgh's TE corps in his absence. |
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Darnell Washington Darnell Washington Won't return Sunday
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 1:04 PM
Washington (forearm) won't return to Sunday's game against the Browns, Burt Lauten of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Washington thus finishes the contest with two catches for 15 yards. In his absence, Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward will handle Pittsburgh's tight-end duties Sunday. |
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Darnell Washington Darnell Washington Hurts forearm Sunday
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 12:51 PM
Washington exited Sunday's game against the Browns with a forearm injury, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Before that, Washington caught both of his targets for 15 yards. While he's sidelined, Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward are available to handle the Steelers' Week 17 TE reps. |
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Kaleb Johnson Kaleb Johnson Healthy scratch again
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 10:47 AM
Johnson (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Analysis: Johnson finds himself a healthy scratch yet again. The Steelers have elected to ride with just two active running backs yet again, relying on Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. It seems that Johnson has been fully phased out, and he may remain a game-day scratch for the rest of the season. |
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Will Howard Will Howard Emergency QB once again
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 10:43 AM
Howard (coach's decision) is inactive and will serve as the Steelers' emergency third quarterback Sunday against the Browns.
Analysis: Howard remains the safety blanket as both Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph are healthy and active for Sunday's game. The only way Howard would be allowed to enter Sunday's contest is if both quarterbacks on the active roster exit due to injury, illness or ejection. |
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Calvin Austin Calvin Austin Won't play Sunday against Browns
Fri, Dec 26, 2025, 2:54 PM
Austin (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Browns, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: With Austin out and DK Metcalf suspended for two games, Varley suggests that it's "going to be all hands on deck this week" for the Steelers at the wide receiver position. With that in mind, added Week 17 snaps will be available for some combination of Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek and Roman Wilson, with Brandon Johnson representing a possible practice squad elevation. Additionally, QB Aaron Rodgers may turn to TEs Darnell Washington, Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith more often than usual, with Pittsburgh's top two WR options on the shelf this weekend. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Logs full practice Thursday
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 4:22 PM
Warren (hip) practiced fully Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Warren was limited at practice Wednesday, but the running back's return to a full listing a day later paves the way for him to maintain his key role in Pittsburgh's backfield Sunday against the Browns. In the Steelers' win over the Lions in Week 16, Warren was on the field for 49 percent of his team's offensive snaps, while working alongside fellow RB Kenneth Gainwell, a game in which Warren carried 14 times for 143 yards and two TDs to go along with two catches (on two targets) for eight yards. Look for Warren to continue to be a focal point in Pittsburgh's offense this weekend, when the team will be missing top WR DK Metcalf, who was suspended for the Steelers' final two regular-season contests. |
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Calvin Austin Calvin Austin Listed as DNP again
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 4:11 PM
Austin (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Austin has now missed back-to-back practices to begin Week 17 prep, making it safe to say that he's trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's road matchup against the Browns. The starting wideout is dealing with a hamstring injury sustained Week 16 against the Lions. With DK Metcalf (suspension) already out for Pittsburgh's final two games of the regular season, it's possible that Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek and Roman Wilson will have to serve as the Steelers' top wideouts versus Cleveland in Week 17. |
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Jaylen Warren Jaylen Warren Logs limited practice Wednesday
Wed, Dec 24, 2025, 2:55 PM
Warren (hip) was limited at practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official sitereports.
Analysis: Coach Mike Tomlin noted Wednesday that "Warren should be limited at the early portions of the week," which suggests that the running back may not practice fully Thursday either. That said, at this stage there's nothing to suggest that Warren will miss Sunday's game against the Browns, with the 9-6 Steelers firmly in the playoff hunt. In the team's Week 16 win over the Lions, Warren logged a 49 percent snap share while working in tandem with fellow RB Kenneth Gainwell, en route to rushing 14 times for 143 yards and two TDs to go along with two catches on two targets for eight yards. |
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Calvin Austin Calvin Austin DNP to open Week 17 prep
Wed, Dec 24, 2025, 2:36 PM
Austin (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Austin injured his hamstring during the Steelers' Week 16 win over the Lions and was not cleared to return. The fourth-year wideout has worked in more of a rotational role at wide receiver over the past three weeks, but his absence would be detrimental to a Steelers offense that is already without DK Metcalf (suspension) for the final two games of the regular season. Austin will have two more opportunities to return to practice ahead of Sunday's AFC North tilt against the Browns. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Suspension upheld
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 6:42 PM
Metcalf had his two-game suspension upheld by the league Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Metcalf was handed a two-game suspension for "conduct detrimental to the NFL" after an altercation with a fan in Detroit on Sunday, and his appeal was denied. The wide receiver will now be forced to miss the team's final two games of the regular season, and as a result, $45 million in guaranteed money on his four-year contract has now been voided. In his absence, Calvin Austin (hamstring), Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling will all be candidates to see increased workloads in Week 17 against the Browns. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Suspended for two games
Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 4:27 PM
Metcalf has been suspended two games for "conduct detrimental to the NFL for initiating a physical confrontation with a fan" during Sunday's game against the Lions, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Metcalf plans to appeal the suspension, but at this stage the wideout is slated to miss the Steelers' final two regular-season contests and would be eligible to return for the playoffs, should the team qualify. In Metcalf's looming absence, fellow WRs Calvin Austin (hamstring), Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling figure to see added opportunities, with TEs Darnell Washington, Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith also candidates to absorb some of the targets that would otherwise go Metcalf's way. |
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Marquez Valdes-Scantling Marquez Valdes-Scantling Targeted three times Sunday
Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 9:56 AM
Valdes-Scantling secured one of three targets for six yards during Sunday's 29-24 win over the Lions.
Analysis: Valdes-Scantling reached the end zone during last week's win over the Dolphins, and he nearly caught a 60-yard touchdown in the third quarter of Sunday's Week 16 victory. However, the ball narrowly slipped through his fingers, and he was shaken up on the play. He returned to the game later in the drive but ultimately finished the matchup with an uninspiring stat line. Valdes-Scantling did rank third among Pittsburgh's wide receivers by playing 42 percent of the team's offensive snaps, but he's secured just two of five targets for 25 yards and a touchdown over his first three appearances with the Steelers. |
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Pat Freiermuth Pat Freiermuth Tallies four catches in win
Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 9:49 AM
Freiermuth secured all four of his targets for 20 yards during Sunday's 29-24 win over Detroit.
Analysis: Freiermuth recorded 45 receiving yards -- his second-highest total of the season -- during last week's win over the Dolphins, and while he wasn't quite as productive in Week 16, his four receptions against the Lions marked his second-highest tally of the year. While Freiermuth has been slightly more productive than usual over the past two weeks, his fantasy production remains limited as he continues to share work with Darnell Washington and Jonnu Smith. |
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