The Tennessee Titans are signing former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson to a one-year deal worth up to $2.5 million. Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports reported the news. The former Florida Gator spent one season in Pittsburgh, accumulating just 24 receptions, 276 yards, and two touchdowns in 17 games. Jefferson played the second-most snaps of all Steelers wideouts with 755 (George Pickens). The 28-year-old has eclipsed 370 receiving yards only once in his career (in 2022 with the Rams) but figures to slot in as the team's second WR behind incumbent primary option Calvin Ridley. He'll now vie for targets with fellow wideouts Tyler Boyd and Treylon Burks and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo. Jefferson regularly disappeared last season, recording one catch or fewer in nine appearances, and will be difficult to trust as a viable fantasy option in 2025 despite the change of scenery.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson caught both of his targets for 37 receiving yards and a touchdown in a 28-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Jefferson, who scored just twice in the regular season, gave the Steelers their first points of the evening when he came down in the end zone with a beautiful 30-yard deep ball from quarterback Russell Wilson in the third quarter. He was quiet for much of the rest of the contest. The 28-year-old will now be looking for a new contract, in Pittsburgh or elsewhere, as he is set to enter unrestricted free agency this offseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson is off the fantasy radar when the Steelers take on Kansas City on Christmas Day. The veteran has played more than 70% of the Steelers' snaps the past three weeks, but that seems likely to change with top receiver George Pickens (hamstring) likely to return to the lineup. The Chiefs' defense ranks in the middle of the pack against fantasy receivers, but it's difficult to see Jefferson getting enough action in a run-loving Pittsburgh offense when competing for targets with Pickens, receiver Calvin Austin III, and tight end Pat Freiermuth.
Despite what could be additional opportunity, fantasy managers should steer clear of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson in a Week 16 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Top Pittsburgh receiver George Pickens (hamstring) missed the previous two contests and is out again against Baltimore, but that hasn't really led to much for Jefferson, who had two catches for 10 yards and a touchdown in those two games despite playing the majority of the offensive snaps. The Ravens rank 31st against fantasy wide receivers, but it's tough to trust the journeyman to be a beneficiary. Managers holding Pickens should look elsewhere for a backup plan.
Van Jefferson Will Have Increased Role, Still Dicey For Fantasy Lineups
With Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) being ruled out for a second straight game, Van Jefferson will have an increased role again in a Week 15 battle on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. In the Week 14 win over the division-rival Cleveland Browns last week with Pickens sidelined, Jefferson played a team-high 74 percent of the offensive snaps, but it resulted in just one catch on one target for a 10-yard touchdown reception, his second of the season. The 28-year-old pass-catcher will no doubt be on the field plenty this weekend in Philly, but expecting him to put up fantasy relevant numbers is unrealistic in Pittsburgh's low-volume passing attack against an Eagles defense that has been stingy against pass-catchers in 2024. Jefferson has caught only four of six targets in the last three weeks.
Van Jefferson Scores Touchdown With Teammate Sidelined
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson converted his lone target into a 10-yard touchdown reception during Sunday's Week 14 victory over the Cleveland Browns. With George Pickens (hamstring) inactive, Jefferson played 74 percent of the offense snaps, which was his highest mark since Week 8. Although he was targeted just once, the 28-year-old took advantage of his lone opportunity and scored a third-quarter touchdown that gave Pittsburgh a two-possession lead over its divisional opponent. Jefferson's reduced offensive role keeps him off the fantasy radar, especially with Pickens looking like he'll return to action in Week 15.
Van Jefferson Could See Increased Usage This Sunday
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson could be an intriguing deep-league play this weekend when he squares off against the Cleveland Browns. The 28-year-old typically wouldn't garner much fantasy consideration, considering his low-volume role in the Steelers' offensive attack. However, he could be featured more this weekend against their division rivals if fellow wideout George Pickens (hamstring) is unable to play. Pickens, a late-week addition to Pittsburgh's injury report, is now labeled as questionable for the home outing. Jefferson is the team's second-leading snap-getter, and while it has yet to amount to much in the box score -- he's still capable of snagging a long bomb or two from quarterback Russell Wilson. Additionally, Cleveland's defense is beatable on the back end, letting up the seventh-most fantasy points per game to WRs (37.9). If Pickens is out, Jefferson should be in line for an enhanced role. The veteran is RotoBaller's PPR WR73 ahead of Week 14.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (quad) is currently considered questionable to return to Thursday's game against the Cleveland Browns. Jefferson appears to have re-aggravated his quad injury during the first half of this contest. It's the same issue that Jefferson was dealing with last week, but he ultimately played in Week 11. He hauled in his lone target for 11 yards before exiting on Thursday. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Steelers hold out Jefferson until at least halftime. George Pickens and Calvin Austin III figure to see more targets with Jefferson absent currently.
Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (quad) was officially a non-participant for the team's first practice ahead of Week 11. The fifth-year wideout is a new addition to the injury report, as he seemingly picked up a quad ailment sometime between Sunday's victory over the Washington Commanders and Wednesday. Jefferson may have sustained the injury during the win. However, it did not seem to hamper him as he operated in his typical capacity as Pittsburgh's WR2 despite not recording a reception. The severity of the injury is unknown, but head coach Mike Tomlin did not comment on the 28-year-old, suggesting it might not be that big a deal. If the former Florida Gator can't suit up for this weekend's divisional clash against the Baltimore Ravens, it would open the door for newly acquired wideout Mike Williams to see an uptick in usage.
Van Jefferson Exits Sunday's Game Against The Chargers
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (eye) exited Sunday's contest against the Chargers. He is questionable to return. The wideout has been quiet through the first two games of the 2024-25 campaign, amassing three catches (five targets) for 15 yards. While anyone on the Steelers offense is hard to trust, Jefferson's potential absence could allow Calvin Austin III to get more involved. At any rate, if Jefferson is ruled out, he'll finish Week 3 without a catch (or a target).
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