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Marquez Valdes-Scantling to Join Steelers' Practice Squad
The Pittsburgh Steelers are planning to sign veteran free-agent wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to their practice squad. The veteran wideout is expected to begin on the practice squad and work his way onto the active roster. The 32-year-old hasn't done much lately, with 142 total receiving yards over the last two seasons combined. This is noteworthy because Valdes-Scantling and quarterback Aaron Rodgers played together in Green Bay earlier in their careers. They may recreate some of that magic in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are in desperate need of wide receivers right now, so it might not take him too long before he joins the active roster.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Rico Dowdle Remains Part of Steelers' Two-Back Plans
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle remains firmly in the team's offensive plans, with head coach Mike McCarthy stressing the importance of getting both Dowdle and Jaylen Warren involved. Asked about using the two backs on the field together, McCarthy told Brian Batko, "We really like both running backs a lot, and they need to touch the ball." Dowdle returned from a three-game absence in Sunday's 26-19 overtime win over Tampa Bay, rushing seven times for 40 yards and catching three passes for nine yards. Warren handled 14 carries for 50 yards and added two receptions for 28 yards, holding his spot as Pittsburgh's featured back. Two-back formations give Dowdle a way to stay involved alongside Warren, though Sunday's 16-to-10 touch advantage backs up the existing hierarchy. Dowdle has some appeal as backfield depth in deeper fantasy leagues, but McCarthy's comments don't necessarily point to a more even split of touches.
Source: Brian Batko
Source: Brian Batko
Germie Bernard Sets Rookie Record, Emerges as Must-Add Receiver
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard continued his rapid emergence in Sunday's 26-19 overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting a franchise rookie record with 11 receptions for 87 yards and his first career touchdown. The 22-year-old caught the game-winning six-yard score in overtime and has now accumulated 17 receptions for 167 yards on 21 targets over his last two contests. Bernard managed just seven catches across Pittsburgh's first four games, but the injuries to Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and Roman Wilson (finger) have accelerated his development into a prominent offensive contributor. Both receivers remain on injured reserve, giving Bernard an opportunity to solidify his role alongside DK Metcalf. Rostered in 50% of leagues, Bernard is a must-add across all formats and offers immediate WR3 value with WR2 upside in PPR leagues heading into Week 7 against New Orleans in Paris. His 12 targets against Tampa Bay trailed Metcalf by just three, another indication of the trust he's earning from Aaron Rodgers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Darnell Washington Steps Up as Steelers' Top Tight End on Sunday
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington caught four of his six targets for 25 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Steelers have dealt with injuries to wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and Roman Wilson (finger), and many of their vacated targets have been distributed among the tight end position. Pat Freiermuth was the primary beneficiary over the previous two weeks with eight catches and three touchdowns during that span, but it was Washington's turn to produce this week. He now has two touchdowns over the last three weeks, and he has scored at least 9.0 PPR points in three of his last four games. His usage is tough to predict with Freiermuth also in the mix, but at the very least, Washington should generate some streaming interest in 14+ team leagues going forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
High Volume for DK Metcalf in Overtime Win Versus Bucs
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf was heavily targeted in a 26-19 overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6. He drew 15 targets from quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the passing game and recorded 11 receptions for 93 yards (8.5 yards per reception). Metcalf led the Steelers in targets and receiving yards, and tied rookie wideout Germie Bernard in receptions. Bernard did find the end zone in overtime, while Metcalf did not score. Rodgers also connected on a touchdown pass to tight end Darnell Washington in regulation. The number of targets and receptions were both season highs for Metcalf. After a slow start for Pittsburgh's offense in 2026, things seem to be picking up for Metcalf and the Steelers.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Rookie Germie Bernard has Breakout Game in Win
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard made an early mistake, but was able to overcome it and help get his team the win during Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The rookie wideout hauled in 11 of his 12 targets for 87 yards and a touchdown in the overtime victory. The rookie wideout made an early mistake in the first quarter, but redeemed himself by scoring the game-winning touchdown. Bernard has now posted back-to-back 80-yard receiving games. The Steelers should continue to lean on Bernard in the passing game with Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and Roman Wilson (finger) both sidelined. He figures to be a popular waiver wire addition ahead of the Week 7 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mike McCarthy to Continue Coaching Despite Ankle Injury
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy (ankle) reportedly twisted his ankle near the end of the first half of Sunday's Week 6 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Pewter Report. McCarthy spent the entire halftime break inside the blue medical tent, with the CBS Sports broadcast subsequently reporting that he would continue coaching despite the injury. The 62-year-old is in his first season leading Pittsburgh after previously serving as head coach of the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys. No further details regarding the severity of the ankle injury have been reported, and there is currently no indication that McCarthy's coaching responsibilities or Pittsburgh's offensive play-calling will be affected.
Source: Pewter Report
Source: Pewter Report
Pat Freiermuth Playing in Week 6 Against Bucs
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (calf) was a late addition to the Week 6 injury report and was listed as questionable to play, but he is officially active for Sunday's contest on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now that the 27-year-old is officially set to play this weekend, he is back in play as a TE streamer in fantasy football leagues with receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) still on Injured Reserve. Freiermuth already has four touchdown receptions in the first five games of 2026, including three trips to the end zone in the last two games against the Indianapolis Colts and division-rival Cleveland Browns. With Pittman sidelined in last week's win over the Colts, Freiermuth caught five of a season-high seven targets for 44 yards and two touchdowns. He has caught 19 of his 26 targets for 169 yards and four touchdowns to begin his sixth season in the NFL and with Pittsburgh. The Buccaneers' defense has allowed the 10th-most half-PPR fantasy points to the tight end position so far this year.
Source: Pittsburgh Steelers
Source: Pittsburgh Steelers
Rico Dowdle Returning From his Toe Injury on Sunday
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) is officially active and will make his return to Pittsburgh's backfield on Sunday on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6. A dislocated toe on his right foot caused Dowdle to miss each of the last three games, allowing Jaylen Warren to take on an elevated workload as the Steelers' lead back. While head coach Mike McCarthy planned for an even backfield split between Warren and Dowdle before the regular season started, Warren's recent play makes him deserving of more of the work now that Dowdle has returned from his injury. The 28-year-old Dowdle was averaging just 2.5 carries for 37 yards and no rushing touchdowns on his 15 rushing attempts in two games before his injury, too, so it is not like he had been impressing the coaching staff before missing time. He should be involved for the Steelers now that he is back, but fantasy managers should temper expectations, and he is a hard sell as an RB3/flex option in his first game back in Tampa.
Source: Pittsburgh Steelers
Source: Pittsburgh Steelers
Germie Bernard Faces Tougher Test After Week 5 Breakout
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard has an opportunity to build on his Week 5 performance when Pittsburgh visits the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The rookie caught six of nine targets for 80 yards against Indianapolis, setting season highs across all three categories while playing 93% of the offensive snaps. With Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) on injured reserve and Roman Wilson (finger) and Ben Skowronek (calf) unavailable, Bernard should continue seeing substantial playing time alongside DK Metcalf, who has been cleared to play following an illness. Pat Freiermuth (calf) is also questionable, potentially creating additional opportunities in the passing game. However, Tampa Bay has allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, and Bernard managed just seven receptions for 60 yards across his first four games. His expanded role gives him some appeal as a WR3/flex option in deeper PPR leagues, although the difficult matchup and limited track record make him a reasonable bench candidate for managers with more established alternatives.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Steelers Optimistic Pat Freiermuth Will Play After Late Downgrade
The Pittsburgh Steelers are "optimistic" that tight end Pat Freiermuth (calf) will be able to play in Sunday's Week 6 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Freiermuth was a late addition to the injury report on Saturday, and he enters game day listed as questionable. The 27-year-old has been terrific over the last two weeks, totaling eight catches for 61 yards and a whopping three touchdowns during that span. His strong two-game stretch has bumped him up to TE8 in total scoring this year (PPR), and he'll look to build on that even further on Sunday against the Bucs. After all, there are plenty of targets to go around with Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and Roman Wilson (finger) both landing on injured reserve through mid-November.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Rico Dowdle Expected to Return for Week 6 vs. Buccaneers
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) is expected to play in Sunday's Week 6 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite being listed as questionable, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Dowdle played in the first two games of the season but wasn't much of a factor, canceling out his four receptions with a very underwhelming 2.47 yards per carry. His return comes amid a surge of dominance from Jaylen Warren, who seems to have a pretty firm grasp on the lead-back role. Warren ranks as the RB8 in PPR leagues, and over his last three games, he has 321 rushing yards, 12 catches, 169 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. The return of Dowdle may allow the Steelers to give Warren a few more snaps off, but we'd be surprised if they don't continue to treat him as a near-every-down back. That would keep Dowdle off the fantasy radar for the time being.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Germie Bernard Among the Top Streamers for Week 6
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard is a top streamer option for Week 6, and he remains available to be added in 65% of fantasy leagues. Bernard occupied a relatively small role through the first four weeks of the season, but his stock took off in Week 5, when he jumped to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart following injuries to Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and Roman Wilson (finger). Last Sunday, he broke out with nine targets, six catches, and 80 receiving yards. He should continue to occupy a large role in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, serving as one of Aaron Rodgers' favorite targets not named DK Metcalf. The wide receiver position continues to get thinner and thinner across the NFL due to bye weeks and injuries, so Bernard is a worthwhile streaming option for many managers in Week 6.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Roman Wilson Placed on Injured Reserve
The Pittsburgh Steelers placed Roman Wilson (dislocated finger) on Injured Reserve, which will sideline him for at least the next four weeks. Wilson is the Steelers' third-leading receiver, recording 14 receptions for 188 yards and a couple of touchdowns this season. With Wilson unavailable, that will likely mean more targets for rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard, who has totaled 13 receptions for 140 yards on the year. Additionally, fellow Pittsburgh wide receiver DK Metcalf did not practice on Friday due to an illness. Bernard is RotoBaller's 36th-ranked wide receiver and is projected to score nine fantasy points against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week. Tampa Bay has allowed an average of 226.6 yards passing per game this season, which is middle of the pack. During a win over the Dallas Cowboys last week, Tampa Bay gave up 316 yards to Dallas through the air, including a three-reception, 90-yard performance from WR3 Ryan Flournoy, which included a 48-yard reception.
Source: Steelers official site
Source: Steelers official site
Pat Freiermuth Now Questionable With Calf Injury
The Pittsburgh Steelers added tight end Pat Freiermuth (calf) to the Week 6 injury report on Saturday, and he is now questionable to play on Sunday at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a calf injury, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Steelers already have wideout Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) on Injured Reserve, so if Freiermuth cannot suit up this weekend, rookie receiver Germie Bernard could be heavily targeted by veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers against a Buccaneers defense that has allowed 226.6 yards per game through the air through the first five weeks of the season. The 27-year-old Freiermuth has become a waiver-wire pickup in recent weeks after catching eight of his 12 targets for 61 yards and three touchdowns in the last two games against the division-rival Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts. He has already matched his touchdown total (four) from all of last year in 17 games played, but fantasy managers might not be able to stream him against Tampa. If Freiermuth is inactive, Darnell Washington will be a streaming sleeper in deeper fantasy formats.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
