RADIO
Jaylen Warren is the Steelers' Featured Player Right Now
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has become the team's featured player over the last three weeks with Rico Dowdle sidelined with a dislocated toe. Head coach Mike McCarthy called Warren "our featured player" on Monday, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. The 27-year-old has really stepped up for Pittsburgh's offense with more touches, going for 490 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in the last three games on 61 touches. McCarthy envisioned more of a 50-50 split with Warren and Dowdle going into the regular season, but Dowdle's toe injury might have McCarthy rethinking his backfield plan for the rest of the season. Dowdle has a shot to return this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road, but even if he does, Warren has worked his way into must-start status in all fantasy football leagues. Going into Week 6, Warren has been a top-10 back with 70 carries for 410 yards and a touchdown while adding 19 receptions for 230 yards and another score through the air. The former undrafted free agent from Oklahoma State is easily on pace for his first 1,000-yard rushing season if he can stay healthy.
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
Aaron Rodgers has Intriguing Value Ahead of Week 6
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has looked like a new man under center lately. Over the last three games, Rodgers has thrown for 826 passing yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. The 42-year-old carved up the Indianapolis Colts defense this past weekend. He'll now head into a Week 6 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have struggled to contain the passing attack. Who knows how long this is going to last, but fantasy managers should ride out the wave. Rodgers is looking like a safe streaming option against the Buccaneers in Week 6. He has played well enough to be viewed as a viable option for this upcoming weekend.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Germie Bernard a Priority Waiver-Wire Target Amid Wide Receiver Injuries
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard had the best game of his young career in Week 5, recording six catches for 80 yards on nine targets in his team's 34-22 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Heading into Week 5, Bernard had recorded just seven catches across the Steelers' first four games. However, Bernard's Week 5 workload increase may be more than just a one-week blip. Pittsburgh wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) is currently on Injured Reserve, and wideout Roman Wilson (finger) has already been ruled out for Week 6 after suffering a finger injury in Week 5. As a result, Bernard could profile as the number two option in the Steelers' passing game behind WR1 DK Metcalf for at least one week. If the young wideout can take advantage of the opportunity, he could establish himself as a season-long contributor in Pittsburgh. Particularly in deeper leagues, Bernard profiles as an intriguing waiver wire candidate for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Steelers Expect Rico Dowdle to Return in Week 6
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio said on Monday that he expects running back Rico Dowdle (toe) to return in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. Head coach Mike McCarthy continues to say that Dowdle is close after missing each of the last three games due to a dislocated toe. Warren has taken advantage of his increased opportunity over that span with Dowdle sidelined, carrying the ball 49 times for 321 yards (6.6 yards per carry) and a touchdown while adding 12 catches on 16 targets for 169 yards and another score through the air. McCarthy had visions of a split backfield with Dowdle and Warren going into the 2026 season, but upon Dowdle's return, fantasy managers should expect a smaller role given Warren's dominance and a bigger workload. The 28-year-old struggled in his first two games for the Steelers before getting hurt, rushing the ball 15 times for only 37 yards while catching four passes for 28 yards. If Dowdle is officially cleared for Week 6, he will be a tough sell as an RB3/flex.
Source: The Athletic - Mike DeFabo
Source: The Athletic - Mike DeFabo
Roman Wilson Officially Ruled Out for Week 6
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said on Monday that wide receiver Roman Wilson (finger) will not play in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, according to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live. Wilson was worth a look off the waiver wire going into the Week 5 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday after the Steelers placed receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) on Injured Reserve. The 25-year-old was not able to take advantage of Pittman's injury, failing to haul in his only target against the Colts before leaving the game with a finger injury and never returning. In the first four games of the 2026 campaign, Wilson caught 26 of his 45 targets for 354 yards and two touchdowns while displaying clear chemistry with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Wilson is now in danger of missing the next couple of weeks due to his finger injury, so he will most likely head right back to the waiver wire in many fantasy leagues. With Wilson already out this week, rookie Germie Bernard is the waiver-wire name to target in Pittsburgh at the WR position.
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Pat Freiermuth Gains Week 6 Waiver Appeal After Two-Touchdown Game
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has put himself back in the waiver-wire conversation after catching five of seven targets for 44 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 34-22 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. He scored from one yard out in the second quarter before adding a 17-yard touchdown in the fourth, giving him four receiving scores through five games. Sunday's seven targets were a season high, and Freiermuth has now found the end zone three times over his past two contests. The touchdowns have helped offset some modest receiving totals, as he has just 19 catches for 169 yards and hasn't exceeded 46 yards in a game this season. Darnell Washington continues to compete for opportunities at tight end, although Freiermuth has drawn more targets so far. Pittsburgh's Week 6 matchup against Tampa Bay gives him another opportunity to produce, particularly for fantasy managers navigating bye weeks. Rostered in just 15% of leagues, Freiermuth is worth considering in 14-team formats and offers touchdown-dependent streaming value.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Warren has Earned a Bigger Role in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has made a statement in the last three weeks as the workhorse RB1 for Pittsburgh with Rico Dowdle out due to a toe injury. Warren became the first player since Herschel Walker in 1986 to record a 50-yard touchdown run and an 80-yard touchdown catch in the same game in Sunday's Week 5 win over the Indianapolis Colts, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. He had 15 carries for 101 rushing yards and added six catches on six targets for 87 receiving yards and the two touchdowns. It was the third straight week (with Dowdle out) that Warren has had at least 125 all-purpose yards. No Steelers player has done that since James Conner did it four weeks in a row in 2018. Since Week 3, Warren has played at least 85% of the offensive snaps. Head coach Mike McCarthy said the Steelers hope to get Dowdle back in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he also admitted that Warren has been thriving with a heavier workload. "He's hauling it right now for us. There's a number you'd like to continue to give him. He's produced, so it's been heavy. It'd be great to get Rico back this week, too," McCarthy said. Dowdle's eventual return will hurt Warren's overall fantasy ceiling, but he has earned more touches in the Steelers' backfield.
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
Roman Wilson to Miss a Few Weeks
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson (finger) is expected to miss a few weeks, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Wilson sustained a finger injury in Sunday's 34-22 win over the Indianapolis Colts. While he's still gathering information and seeking a second opinion, he's likely to miss time. He was held to one target and no receptions in Week 5, but had back-to-back games with more than three receptions, 60 yards, and a touchdown. With Wilson expected to miss a few weeks, rookie receiver Germie Bernard will be the primary beneficiary. Bernard caught six of nine targets for 80 yards in Week 5, playing a career-high 91.7% of snaps. Fantasy managers who currently have Wilson should consider adding Bernard as a replacement.
Source: Jeremy Fowler - ESPN
Source: Jeremy Fowler - ESPN
Aaron Rodgers Remains Red-Hot with Three Touchdowns
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 22 of his 31 pass attempts for 235 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Sunday's Week 5 win over the Indianapolis Colts. He also rushed for six yards and took just one sack. Rodgers has absolutely racked up fantasy points lately, tallying nine passing touchdowns through the last three weeks. Some turnovers and sacks left a bitter taste after Rodgers' previous explosive performances, but that wasn't the case on Sunday, as the veteran quarterback played turnover-free football. The 42-year-old passer lacks the mobility needed to be a high-end fantasy quarterback, but his latest track record could put him back on the fantasy radar as a potential midseason pick-up.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Germie Bernard has Breakout Game in Week 5
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard stepped up and made the most of his chances during Sunday's Week 5 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. The rookie wideout hauled in six of his nine targets for 80 yards in the win over the Colts. He led the team in targets and made the most of his chances on Sunday. The Steelers are without Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and Roman Wilson (finger), who exited early during this game. Bernard stepped up and posted a breakout game in the absence of his two fellow wideouts. If Wilson is forced to miss time, Bernard could once again be heavily involved against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Pittsburgh's Big Day Still Ends Up A Dud For DK Metcalf
The Pittsburgh Steelers scored 34 offensive points in a victory against the Indianapolis Colts, but that didn't amount to much for wide receiver DK Metcalf, who ended the day with just three catches for 12 yards and one rush for 11 yards. The veteran receiver was fourth on the team with four targets while running back Jaylen Warren and tight end Pat Freiermuth accounted for a combined four touchdowns. Metcalf has now been held to four or fewer catches and 40 or fewer receiving yards in four of the Steelers' five games. Pittsburgh has a favorable second-half schedule for a receiver, but Metcalf is becoming increasingly difficult to trust in fantasy lineups. The Steelers will travel to Tampa in Week 6.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jaylen Warren Goes Wild In Win Against Colts
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren had a monster day in Sunday's victory against the Indianapolis Colts, compiling 188 total yards and two touchdowns. The fifth-year back caught six passes for 87 yards, doing almost all of his receiving damage with an 80-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. He followed that up with consistent effectiveness on the ground, rushing for 101 yards and a score on 15 carries. It was a banner fantasy performance for Warren, who has taken full advantage of fellow running back Rico Dowdle (toe) being out. Managers should keep an eye on injury reports with Dowdle close to returning ahead of a Week 6 game at Tampa, but Warren has been so reliable that he should continue to be Pittsburgh's top option out of the backfield.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Rico Dowdle was "Close" to Playing on Sunday, Hopeful for Week 6 Return
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) was "close" to returning on Sunday to face the Indianapolis Colts, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. Pryor added that the team hopes Dowdle can practice this week and be cleared to suit up in Week 6. Head coach Mike McCarthy said, "Having them as a one-two punch was the vision of this offense," but added that Jaylen Warren is "crushing" it right now. While the two split work early in the season, since Dowdle has been on the shelf, Warren has led the entire backfield. He put up another dominant effort in their win over the Colts, totaling 101 rushing yards, 87 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. However, if Dowdle sits out, both running backs would have their fantasy upside capped, with Warren falling in the mid-end RB2 range and Dowdle holding low-end FLEX upside.
Source: Brooke Pryor
Source: Brooke Pryor
Roman Wilson Ruled Out With Hand Injury
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson (hand) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's Week 5 game against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Nick Farabaugh. Wilson finishes without a reception on one target after an apparent 11-yard catch late in the second quarter was overturned following a replay review. He entered Sunday with six receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns over his previous two games. Pittsburgh was already without Michael Pittman Jr. (foot), who was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
Source: Nick Farabaugh
Source: Nick Farabaugh
Rico Dowdle Inactive for Week 5 Game
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) has officially been ruled out for the Week 5 game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday and will miss a third straight game, according to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported earlier on Sunday that Dowdle was unlikely to return this weekend, so fantasy managers should keep him on their benches. The 28-year-old was limited in practice all week. His next chance to return to the Steelers' backfield will be in Week 6 on Sunday, Oct. 18, on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Dowdle being out yet again, Jaylen Warren is an absolute must-start in fantasy as the workhorse for Pittsburgh. Dowdle, who had back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2024 and 2025 with the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers, respectively, is off to a bad start in 2026 in his first year in Pittsburgh due to his toe injury. In his first two games with the team, he had 15 rushing attempts for 37 yards (2.6 yards per carry) and four catches for 28 yards while splitting backfield touches with Warren.
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
Source: Penn Live - Nick Farabaugh
