Pittsburgh Steelers News

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Darnell Washington • TE • Steelers

Darnell Washington Cleared to Play on Monday Night

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (concussion) has been cleared from the league's concussion protocol and has been upgraded to active for the Monday night contest against the visiting Miami Dolphins to close out Week 15 action, according to director of communications Burt Lauten. Washington was initially listed as questionable on the team's final injury report on Saturday, but he has since been cleared by an independent neurologist and will play against Miami. The 6-foot-7, 264-pounder should be treated as TE3 in fantasy despite his growing role in recent weeks. Washington has caught five of his seven targets for 79 yards in the last three games, but having to contend for targets with fellow TEs Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith every week makes him too hard to trust as a starter in fantasy.

22 hours ago

Darnell Washington • TE • Steelers

Darnell Washington Questionable After Limited Practice

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (concussion) logged a limited practice session on Saturday. He is officially listed as questionable to play in Monday's Week 15 contest against the Miami Dolphins. Washington has taken on a larger role lately, commanding at least four targets in three of his last six games. He ranks as the overall TE25 in PPR leagues during that span, which is one spot lower than teammate Pat Freiermuth and 26 spots higher than Jonnu Smith. The Dolphins have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends in 2025, but with Washington and Freiermuth competing for opportunities, it's tough to trust any Pittsburgh tight end heading into the fantasy playoffs.

23 hours ago

Calvin Austin III • WR • Steelers

Calvin Austin III Cleared to Play in Week 15

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (calf) practiced in full on Saturday. He has been removed from the injury report and will play in Monday's Week 15 contest against the Miami Dolphins. The 26-year-old is the No. 2 receiver on the depth chart, but he has been held to two or fewer targets in four of his last five games. During those five weeks, he's averaging just 1.6 catches, 17.2 yards, and zero touchdowns per game. Pittsburgh could go run-heavy this week because Miami's defense has allowed the 10th-most rushing yards to opposing running backs in 2025. The Dolphins have also allowed the third-fewest receiving yards to opposing wide receivers. All signs point to Austin having another dud week despite being cleared to suit up. He should be avoided in fantasy football on Monday.

23 hours ago

Jaylen Warren • RB • Steelers

Jaylen Warren an Appealing Fantasy Option if Game Script Cooperates

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren continues to be a strong RB2 option in fantasy football, but his exact role in Monday's Week 15 contest against the Miami Dolphins will depend on game script. Warren had an underwhelming role on the ground last Sunday as he had just eight carries for 13 yards. However, he salvaged his fantasy showing with three catches, 49 receiving yards, and a receiving touchdown. He ranked outside the top 55 running backs in both yards before contact per attempt and yards after contact per attempt. Pittsburgh is favored by 3.5 points over Miami, which means the Steelers could go run-heavy. However, he'll also have to share some volume with Kenneth Gainwell. Pittsburgh routinely gets the ball in its running backs' hands, but it's just a matter of whether it happens on the ground or through the air. Either way, Warren is a top-24 fantasy running back for this week.

Yesterday

Jonnu Smith • TE • Steelers

Jonnu Smith Could Surprise in Revenge Spot

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith has just five receptions over his past five games but will look to get more involved against his former team, the Miami Dolphins, in Week 15. This is an enticing matchup for Smith, as Miami has surrendered the third-most fantasy points per contest to opposing tight ends this season. While Smith's biggest concern remains his inconsistent utilization, he could draw additional looks on Monday night if fellow tight end Darnell Washington (concussion) is ruled out. The potential for cold temperatures and strong winds also works in Smith's favor, as he primarily operates near the line of scrimmage and generates yards after the catch. He's far from a reliable fantasy starter, but the 30-year-old could surprise in this revenge game and has some appeal as a streaming option in deeper leagues.

Yesterday

Chris Boswell • K • Steelers

Chris Boswell a Middling Fantasy Option in Week 15

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell drilled both of his field goal attempts and converted all three extra-point tries in a Week 14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. This week, he'll face a more difficult challenge against the Miami Dolphins. Miami's defense has stepped up as of late, surrendering just over 13 points per game across its past four contests. Additionally, cold temperatures and strong winds on Monday night could pose problems for both the Steelers' offense and Boswell. With this AFC showdown projected to be relatively low-scoring, fantasy managers may want to consider other options in more appealing matchups. Still, Boswell remains one of the most consistent kickers in the NFL and can be trusted as such in Week 15.

Yesterday

Pat Freiermuth • TE • Steelers

Pat Freiermuth Draws Plus Matchup Against Miami

Although Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth's fantasy value has been almost entirely touchdown-dependent this season, he could see more opportunities than usual on Monday night against the Miami Dolphins. Miami's defense has been strong in recent weeks, but it has still struggled to contain opposing tight ends. On the season, the Dolphins have surrendered the third-most fantasy points per contest to the position. Furthermore, fellow tight end Darnell Washington (concussion) has not yet cleared the league's concussion protocol and should be considered questionable to suit up. While Freiermuth's role has been inconsistent at best, he has been more efficient with his touches than Jonnu Smith. He shouldn't be considered a reliable option in most redraft formats, but Freiermuth could be a sneaky play in deeper fantasy leagues this week.

Yesterday

Kenneth Gainwell • RB • Steelers

Kenneth Gainwell Has PPR Flex Value Against Dolphins

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell has been heavily involved as a pass-catcher in recent weeks and should maintain a significant role against the Miami Dolphins in Week 15. Though Gainwell has taken a backseat to Jaylen Warren on the ground, the former has earned six or more targets in three of his past four games. Unfortunately, production may be hard to come by on Monday night, with Miami allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing backs over the past four weeks. The weather in Pittsburgh, with gusting winds expected, could force quarterback Aaron Rodgers to check down to his running backs and tight ends more frequently, however. Gainwell's utilization as a receiver keeps him in flex consideration for fantasy managers in PPR leagues this week.

Yesterday

Adam Thielen • WR • Steelers

Adam Thielen Could See Expanded Role in Week 15

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Adam Thielen earned just one target in Week 14 but could be in line for additional opportunities against the Miami Dolphins in Week 15. Thielen surprisingly logged the second-most snaps of any Steelers receiver in his debut with the team last week, trailing only DK Metcalf. With Calvin Austin III (calf) popping up on the injury report late in the week, Thielen could emerge as the unquestioned WR2 in Pittsburgh on Monday night. Still, this isn't a particularly easy matchup, as the Dolphins are surrendering the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts this season. He can't be trusted to provide consistent fantasy value down the stretch, but Thielen's role and developing chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers are worth monitoring in deeper leagues.

Yesterday

DK Metcalf • WR • Steelers

DK Metcalf Looks to Build on Strong Performance

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf had an excellent showing in Week 14, hauling in seven of 12 targets for a season-high 148 yards in a win over the Baltimore Ravens. He was listed on the injury report earlier this week and spent a night in the hospital for stomach pain, but appears to be a full-go for Monday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins. Though Miami's defense is surging, it has still allowed three different wideouts to finish as top-24 fantasy options over its past four games. The weather in Pittsburgh will be worth monitoring, as cold temperatures and strong winds could limit Metcalf's opportunities downfield. Still, the 28-year-old should remain a focal point of the Steelers' offense and profiles as a low-end WR2 for fantasy managers in Week 15.

Yesterday

Jaylen Warren • RB • Steelers

Jaylen Warren a Solid RB2 on MNF

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has found the end zone in three consecutive contests and will look to keep the streak alive in a Week 15 clash with the Miami Dolphins. Although the Dolphins' run defense was porous early in the season, it has turned things around as of late, holding opposing backs to just 3.8 yards per carry and the fewest fantasy points per game since Week 10. Furthermore, Miami hasn't given up a rushing or receiving touchdown to a running back since Week 8. Warren, while splitting touches with Kenneth Gainwell, is still Pittsburgh's primary ballcarrier and has seen an uptick in targets over the past two weeks. Cold temperatures and potential wind in Pittsburgh on Monday night could also influence the game script in his favor. He remains locked in as a fantasy RB2 despite the tough matchup.

Yesterday

Aaron Rodgers • QB • Steelers

Aaron Rodgers Faces Hot Dolphins Defense in Week 15

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is coming off his highest passing yardage total of the season in Week 14 and will take on the Miami Dolphins at home on Monday Night Football. Miami enters on a hot streak, having won four straight games while limiting opposing quarterbacks to the 10th-fewest fantasy points per contest over that span. That said, the Dolphins' run defense has been even more formidable than their pass defense. With Pittsburgh struggling to establish the ground game lately, the Steelers could be forced to lean more heavily on Rodgers' arm. Still, while this matchup is expected to be competitive, it is not projected to be particularly high-scoring, which caps the 41-year-old's fantasy upside. Fantasy managers should avoid relying on Rodgers as anything more than a low-end QB2 in superflex formats in Week 15.

Yesterday

Calvin Austin III • WR • Steelers

Calvin Austin III Pops Up on Injury Report With Calf Injury

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (calf) was added to the Week 15 injury report and was listed as limited in Friday's practice, according to Teresa Varley of Steelers.com. Austin's status for Monday night's game against the Miami Dolphins is now in question, but we'll have a better idea of his availability after Pittsburgh's final practice of the week on Saturday. It's unclear if the 26-year-old sustained a calf injury during Friday's practice. Austin hasn't been a major contributor for the Steelers or fantasy managers in his third NFL season, catching 27 of 46 targets for 309 yards and only two touchdowns in 11 games. He has not found the end zone since Sept. 21 and has not cleared 50 receiving yards since Nov. 2 against the Colts. There is nobody for fantasy managers to trust in starting lineups in Pittsburgh's WR corps beyond DK Metcalf. If Austin cannot play against Miami, veteran Adam Thielen could have a bigger role in his second game with the team.

2 days ago

T.J. Watt • LB • Steelers

T.J. Watt Officially Ruled Out for Monday Night

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt (lung) has officially been ruled out for the Monday night game in Week 15 against the visiting Miami Dolphins, according to Teresa Varley of the team's official website. Watt had surgery on Thursday to fix a partially collapsed lung and is at home resting comfortably. The 31-year-old outside linebacker will be missing his first game of the year, and it's unclear if he can make it back to face the Detroit Lions in Week 16. The Steelers' defense won't have its leader on the field this Monday, but they'll still be in play for fantasy managers as a streaming unit against the Dolphins in primetime. Nick Herbig will need to pick up the slack as a starter for Pittsburgh's defense with Watt sidelined. Watt has had a down year in 2025 with only seven sacks in 13 starts.

2 days ago

T.J. Watt • LB • Steelers

T.J. Watt Undergoes Surgery for Collapsed Lung

Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt (lung) underwent successful surgery to stabilize and repair his partially collapsed lung. The injury occurred during a dry needling session at the team facility on Wednesday, and while the surgery went well, the timeline for his recovery and return to play is still TBD. Watt's seven sacks and 43 total pressures through 13 games had him on the lowest pace since his 2022 injury-shortened season, and the lowest of any full season since his rookie year. Down year or not, any missed time could have a meaningful impact on an AFC North race that is still very much up in the air.

2 days ago

Kenneth Gainwell • RB • Steelers

Kenneth Gainwell Remains a Key Piece in the Steelers Offense

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell has remained a steady, consistent piece of this Steelers offense for a majority of the season, but even more so over the past month and a half. Since Week 10, this Steelers backfield has become an actual split between Gainwell and Jaylen Warren. For most of the first half of the season, it had appeared Warren was gaining steam and control of the backfield, but a handful of injuries to Warren opened up the door for Gainwell, and he took advantage of his opportunities and has earned more playing time. Since Week 10, Gainwell has rushed for 151 yards on 28 carries (5.39 YPC), has 23 receptions for 167 receiving yards, and is averaging 14.6 fantasy points per game. He is consistently getting more involved than Warren in the receiving game, and moving forward, can be viewed as an RB3/flex option. In Week 15, the Steelers take on the Miami Dolphins, who rank middle-of-the-pack in points allowed against opposing running backs.

3 days ago

T.J. Watt • LB • Steelers

T.J. Watt Trending Towards Missing Week 15

NFL Insider Tom Pelissero reported that Pittsburgh Steelers superstar linebacker T.J. Watt (lung) is in a local hospital undergoing evaluation of his lung after experiencing discomfort at the team facility on Wednesday. Head coach Mike Tomlin said that Watt's status is really up in the air after not practicing with the team on Thursday. Watt appears to be trending towards missing Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football. This is really tough news for the Steelers (7-6), sitting at the top of the AFC North by one game with only four games left in the NFL regular season. What makes matters even more challenging is that the Steelers' defense has not been good this year, ranking in the bottom half of the league in points and yards allowed, so losing a player of this caliber against a hot Miami Dolphins (6-7) team, which has won four games in a row, will be a challenging task for the Steelers.

3 days ago

Darnell Washington • TE • Steelers

Darnell Washington Still in Concussion Protocol, Limited on Thursday

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (concussion) was a limited participant in practice on Thursday, and he remains in concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's Week 15 contest against the Miami Dolphins. Washington exited last week's game early after catching just one pass for 12 yards. He had looked solid in his nine previous contests, though, totaling 22 catches, 276 yards, and one touchdown during that span. The 24-year-old has quietly passed Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth in terms of snap count, but his fantasy production has still left a lot to be desired. He can be dropped in redraft leagues and stashed in deeper dynasty formats.

3 days ago

DK Metcalf • WR • Steelers

DK Metcalf Practicing on Thursday

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (stomach), who went to a Baltimore hospital as a precaution after Sunday's win over the Ravens due to stomach pain, returned to practice on Thursday, according to Mike DeFabo. Head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that he expects Metcalf to be available for the team's Week 15 contest on Monday night versus the visiting Miami Dolphins. The 27-year-old went off for Pittsburgh on Sunday, setting season-highs in catches (seven), targets (12), and receiving yards (148) in the 27-22 victory. It was the first time that Metcalf hit the 100-yard mark since Sept. 28, and only the second time all year in his first season in Pittsburgh. His fantasy managers will be hoping that he can keep it going into the fantasy playoffs in a plus matchup against Miami in primetime. Metcalf should be treated as a low-end WR2 in fantasy in Week 15. UPDATE: Metcalf was a full-go in Thursday's practice.

3 days ago

T.J. Watt • LB • Steelers

T.J. Watt Could Miss Monday's Game With a Lung Issue

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (lung) is currently in a local hospital with a lung issue and is undergoing medical evaluation, according to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live. Watt will not practice on Thursday and could miss the Monday night game against the visiting Miami Dolphins. The 31-year-old seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro has an extra day to recover this week, but his status is firmly up in the air in Week 15. Fantasy managers in IDP leagues will need to have a backup plan in place in case it's not looking good for Watt to play on Monday night. The former first-rounder is the heart and soul of a Pittsburgh defense that has been a disappointment this year. Through 13 games, Watt has 53 tackles (22 solo), only seven sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 18 QB hits, an interception, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.

3 days ago

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