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Jaylen Warren • RB • Steelers

Jaylen Warren Out Sick on Thursday

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (illness) did not practice with the team on Thursday due to an illness, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Warren's status is worth monitoring going into Monday night's Wild-Card playoff matchup against the visiting Houston Texans, but the 27-year-old should be good to go by then. However, if he's still feeling under the weather by then and sees a smaller workload, it would benefit backfield mate Kenneth Gainwell, albeit in a very tough matchup against the No. 1 defense in the league. Warren has seen double-digit carries in all but one of his 16 games played this year, but Gainwell has taken on a bigger role in Pittsburgh's backfield late in the season. He ranked as the RB19 with 12.3 half-PPR points per game, while Houston's defense allowed the eighth-fewest half-PPR points per week to the position. Warren sets up as a low-end RB1 in fantasy playoff formats.

2 hours ago

Aaron Rodgers • QB • Steelers

Aaron Rodgers Facing Difficult Wild-Card Matchup

Across 16 games played in 2025, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 65.7% of his pass attempts for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Rodgers delivered a bit of a vintage performance in Week 18 to help power Pittsburgh into the playoffs, completing 31 of 47 pass attempts for 294 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Baltimore Ravens. Entering Wild Card Weekend, Rodgers will get some much-needed pass-catching help in the form of wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, who missed the final two games of the regular season due to a suspension. However, Rodgers will face one of the league's best defenses in the Houston Texans in the first round of the AFC playoffs. In the regular season, Houston ranked seventh among NFL defenses in both passing yards (3,486) and passing touchdowns (20) allowed. Rodgers has played some of his best football of the season in recent weeks, but fantasy managers in playoff leagues may want to be cautious given his matchup against Houston.

Yesterday

Calvin Austin III • WR • Steelers

Calvin Austin III Facing Stiff Test in Wild-Card Round

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III has compiled 31 receptions (55 targets) for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games this season. The 26-year-old came up huge in the regular-season finale win over the Baltimore Ravens, catching a 26-yard touchdown to give the Steelers the lead with less than a minute remaining. With D.K. Metcalf (suspension) set to return for the playoffs after missing the last two games, Austin offers minimal upside in a brutal matchup against the Houston Texans on Monday night. He's scored double-digit PPR points in only four of 14 games, and the Texans have allowed the sixth-fewest passing yards per game (183.5) and the seventh-fewest receiving touchdowns (20) this season. Austin is tough to trust for fantasy managers in playoff leagues, given the return of Metcalf and the challenging matchup.

2 days ago

Pat Freiermuth • TE • Steelers

Pat Freiermuth is Risky for Wild-Card Round

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has seen an expanded role in the offense lately. The loss of Darnell Washington (forearm) has moved Freiermuth up the depth chart. Over the last four games, Freiermuth has hauled in 13 receptions for 179 yards, but he hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 12. The 27-year-old will head into a playoff matchup against a tough Houston Texans defense this week. The Texans' defense has been generally strong versus opposing tight ends, which isn't good news for Freiermuth. The increased target share will certainly help, but Freiermuth should be viewed as a lower-end option for this difficult Wild-Card matchup. The return of DK Metcalf from a two-game suspension is also bad news for Freirmuth.

2 days ago

DK Metcalf • WR • Steelers

DK Metcalf Back From Suspension in Time for Playoffs

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf has rejoined the team following his two-game suspension in Weeks 17 and 18 for an altercation with a fan during the team's Week 16 contest in Detroit against the Lions. Pittsburgh's offense really struggled the final two weeks of the regular season, but they did just enough to beat the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night to clinch the NFC North title and a spot in the postseason. Veterans Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen tried to help pick up the slack in the passing attack with Metcalf out, and it also helped that the Steelers got Calvin Austin III back from an injury in Week 18. Metcalf's return will help the Steelers stretch the field, but he'll be a volatile DFS play during Wild-Card weekend against the Houston Texans and their top-ranked defense. In 15 regular-season games, Metcalf was tied for 25th among wideouts with 10.5 half-PPR points per game.

3 days ago

Jaylen Warren • RB • Steelers

Jaylen Warren Sees Solid Usage in Season Finale

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren had been ceding touches to Kenneth Gainwell in recent weeks, but in Sunday night's division-clinching win over the Ravens, he carried the ball 14 times for 66 yards, while catching all five of his targets for an additional 33 yards through the air. The 19 total opportunities were his most since a Week 7 loss to the Bengals, and his reliability in the passing game could again be on display in a Wild Card matchup with the Texans. Houston's front seven has been one of the league's toughest fronts to run against, but with Warren and Gainwell, the Steelers can essentially move their running game into space with short passes, putting both in line for favorable PPR stat lines. With Warren also first in line to handle the bulk of carries, he makes for a sneaky start in the first week of fantasy playoff leagues.

3 days ago

Kenneth Gainwell • RB • Steelers

Kenneth Gainwell Plays Prominent Receiving Role Once Again in Week 18

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell continued to function as one of his team's most trusted offensive weapons in Week 18, recording 74 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 13 touches in a win over the Baltimore Ravens. While Gainwell scored his touchdown as a rusher, he did most of his work as a receiver, hauling in eight catches for 64 yards on nine targets. The 26-year-old finishes his 2025 season with 1,023 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns on 187 touches across 17 games played. He earned at least seven targets from Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in four out of the team's final five games. Gainwell will be a free agent once Pittsburgh's 2025 playoff run ends, so he's uncertain to be back with the Steelers next season. However, he could be a valuable PPR option for fantasy managers in 2026, particularly if he ends up playing alongside Rodgers in Pittsburgh for a second straight year.

3 days ago

Aaron Rodgers • QB • Steelers

Aaron Rodgers Throws for Season-High 294 Yards, Leads Steelers to AFC North Title

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 31 of 47 passes for a season-high 294 yards and a touchdown to go along with one carry for 20 yards in Week 18's division-clinching win over the Baltimore Ravens. Rodgers and the Steelers scored all three of their touchdowns in the second half, including the future Hall of Famer finding receiver Calvin Austin III for a 26-yard touchdown to take the lead with 55 seconds left in the game. With his top receiver D.K. Metcalf (suspension) out again, Rodgers relied heavily on underneath targets to running back Kenneth Gainwell, connecting with him a season-high eight times. In addition, a season-high 218 of Rodgers' 294 passing yards came after the catch, per Next Gen Stats. The 42-year-old signal-caller made big plays when the Steelers needed them and posted his best QBR (65.8) since Week 7 in Cincinnati. The Steelers will now host the Houston Texans next Monday night in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs.

3 days ago

Roman Wilson • WR • Steelers

Roman Wilson a Healthy Scratch for Week 18

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Baltimore Ravens. With a playoff berth on the line, Wilson is a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old has played just nine snaps over the last four weeks, and he'll add another goose egg this week. He finishes the regular season with just 12 catches, 166 yards, and a pair of touchdowns. With Wilson inactive and DK Metcalf suspended, Pittsburgh will rely on a wide receiver room featuring Calvin Austin III, Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Ben Skowronek, and Scotty Miller.

4 days ago

Jaylen Warren • RB • Steelers

Jaylen Warren Losing Trust Going into Week 18?

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren saw his second-lowest snap count of the season during last week's loss to the Cleveland Browns. Warren rushed the ball 12 times for 64 yards, but he was only on the field for 32 percent of the offensive snaps. Fellow back Kenneth Gainwell saw a season-high 68 percent of the offensive snaps last week. Gainwell has played well for the Steelers during the second half of the season and has earned himself a larger role in this offense. He figures to split up the workload with Warren again during the regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. The loss of playing time is concerning and makes Warren a more volatile RB2 fantasy option for Week 18.

4 days ago

Kenneth Gainwell • RB • Steelers

Kenneth Gainwell Projects as Reliable RB2 Option Again for Season Finale

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell has been one of the best fantasy values in PPR leagues this season, recording 62 receptions for 410 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games. His 62 catches trail only Christian McCaffrey, Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, and De'Von Achane at the running back position. The 26-year-old back continues to split touches with Jaylen Warren, but has maintained a strong fantasy profile due to his high-value touch role. Despite Pittsburgh's only legitimate receiving threat in D.K. Metcalf (suspension) missing last week's game against the Browns, Gainwell totalled his fewest yards from scrimmage (38) since Week 10. The former Philadelphia Eagle should be expected to bounce back in a pivotal Week 18 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens to decide the AFC North. Baltimore ranks middle of the pack in fantasy points allowed to running backs, and Gainwell caught six balls and found the end zone against them back in Week 14.

5 days ago

T.J. Watt • LB • Steelers

T.J. Watt Cleared to Play in Week 18

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (lung) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's Week 18 matchup versus the Baltimore Ravens. Watt will return from a three-game absence due to a partially collapsed lung that required a procedure to repair. The return of Watt will come at a great time, with this being a must-win game for the Steelers. The two teams will fight for the AFC North division title and the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. Given the nature of the injury, it's unclear if Watt is going to have a full snap count this weekend. Through 13 games, Watt has recorded 53 tackles, seven sacks, and one interception this season. His presence on the field will be a significant boost for the Steelers' defense, even if he's limited.

5 days ago

Calvin Austin III • WR • Steelers

Calvin Austin III Hard to Trust in his Return

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (hamstring) upgraded to a full participant in practice on Friday and was removed from the final injury report, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor. Austin will be active on Sunday night against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 as the Steelers look to win the AFC North. He did not play in last week's loss to the Cleveland Browns and was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Although the 26-year-old will return with DK Metcalf suspended for another game, Austin will still be extremely hard to trust after doing little all year. Austin hasn't really shown much chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers all season, catching 28 of his 48 targets for 317 yards and just two touchdowns. The good news is that the Ravens have allowed the fourth-most half-PPR fantasy points to opposing WRs in 2025.

5 days ago

Calvin Austin III • WR • Steelers

Calvin Austin III Limited for Second Straight Day

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (hamstring) was listed as a limited participant in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Austin is trying to work his way back after being held out of the Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns. The 26-year-old might need to upgrade to a full practice session on Friday to avoid taking a questionable tag into Sunday night's big divisional game to decide the AFC North against the Baltimore Ravens. DK Metcalf will be suspended again in Week 18, so Austin will have the opportunity for an expanded role in Pittsburgh's passing attack if he's active. Still, even if Austin plays on Sunday evening, fantasy managers probably won't consider him a very attractive WR4/flex in his return from injury. Austin has caught 28 passes for just 317 yards and two scores on 48 targets in 13 games in 2025.

7 days ago

Aaron Rodgers • QB • Steelers

Aaron Rodgers Considering Playing Beyond 2025?

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers discussed his future with the media on Wednesday and left open the possibility that he could return for another year, according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. "Listen, I'm thinking about this week. I'm 42 years old, and I'm on a one-year deal, so you know what the situation is. Whenever the season ends, I'll be a free agent. That will give me a lot of options if I still want to play... maybe one or two," Rodgers said. The future Hall of Famer said he's enjoyed his experience this year with Pittsburgh, but he will discuss his future with his wife in the offseason. Rodgers' decision about whether to continue playing into 2026 will likely depend on how this year ends with the Steelers. Rodgers will square off against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens this Sunday night to decide the AFC North winner. The loser's season will be over.

Dec 31

Calvin Austin III • WR • Steelers

Calvin Austin III Could be Top Steelers Wideout in Week 18

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (hamstring) was inactive for the team's Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The Steelers were also missing DK Metcalf due to a suspension that will continue into the Week 18 regular-season finale this weekend against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. Tight end Pat Freirmuth led the Steelers in receiving with three catches for 63 yards against Cleveland. The 26-year-old Austin is trending in the right direction to return to the division-deciding battle against Baltimore this weekend, and with Metcalf out for another game, Austin could be heavily targeted by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Austin still won't exactly inspire confidence from fantasy managers with something still on the line in Week 18, as he has gone over 50 receiving yards just twice in 13 games, and not since Nov. 2. Austin has only found the end zone twice in 2025, too, with the last one coming back on Sept. 21.

Dec 31

Jonnu Smith • TE • Steelers

Jonnu Smith More Attractive as TE Streamer Versus Baltimore

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith will be set up as a more attractive TE2 streamer in fantasy football for the final week of the regular season this Sunday night against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, with Darnell Washington done for the year after breaking his forearm in Sunday's Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns. With Washington getting hurt, Smith ended up leading the Steelers with five receptions (five targets), although it amounted to only 18 receiving yards on a day in which Pittsburgh's offense couldn't get into the end zone. After a career year in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, the 30-year-old Smith has predictably struggled in Arthur Smith's offense, posting a 37-220-2 line in 16 games. Smith's five targets in Week 17 were his most since Week 9, though, and he's now topped 20 scrimmage yards in three straight games. In deeper fantasy leagues, Smith will be slightly more attractive as a TE2 streamer in Week 18 versus the Ravens.

Dec 31

Marquez Valdes-Scantling • WR • Steelers

Marquez Valdes-Scantling Could Have Elevated Role Again in Week 18

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling figures to be heavily targeted again in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday night against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, with DK Metcalf suspended one more game. In Sunday's upset loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 17, Valdes-Scantling drew a season-high nine targets, hauling in three of them for a mediocre 21 receiving yards. The 31-year-old veteran pass-catcher has only five catches on 14 targets for 46 yards and one touchdown in his four games since joining Pittsburgh. MVS hasn't really been on the same page as quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and his target share could be affected if Calvin Austin III (hamstring) returns in a must-win Week 18 contest that will decide the winner of the AFC North. At best, Valdes-Scantling will be a deep-league dart throw as a WR5/flex versus Baltimore this weekend.

Dec 30

Calvin Austin III • WR • Steelers

Steelers Optimistic About Calvin Austin III's Status

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic about the availability of wide receiver Calvin Austin III (hamstring) for Sunday night's big divisional clash against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Austin was inactive for the Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns, a game in which Pittsburgh was also without DK Metcalf (suspension). Quarterback Aaron Rodgers really struggled with a receiving corps consisting of Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Scotty Miller, Roman Wilson, and Ben Skowronek. Metcalf will be out again for Sunday night's game that will decide the AFC North division, but it looks like Austin could be back. The 26-year-old has done very little for fantasy managers in 2025 (28 catches, 317 yards, two touchdowns), but he could operate as the Steelers' WR1 against Baltimore.

Dec 30

T.J. Watt • LB • Steelers

Steelers More Optimistic About T.J. Watt's Week 18 Status

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic about All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt's (lung) chances of playing this Sunday against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 18, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. "We'll work him up over the course of the week and let the amount of participation and quality of participation be our guide. I'm more optimistic than I've been in previous weeks," Tomlin said. Watt has missed the last three games after having surgery to fix a partially collapsed lung. Pittsburgh could really use one of the best pass-rushers in football for a contest that will decide the AFC North division on Sunday evening. The loser will go home. Tomlin previously said Watt wouldn't play unless he put in a full week of full practices, so we'll keep a close eye on his status this week. The 31-year-old was limited all of last week before being ruled out. If Watt is active in the regular-season finale, he almost certainly won't be at 100%.

Dec 30

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