RADIO
Darnell Washington Is a Solid TE Streamer after Bye
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington continues to split time with Pat Freiermuth, but Aaron Rodgers has been giving him enough opportunities to make him a solid fill-in starter. Washington has played over 50% of the Steelers' offensive snaps in every game this season, and went into the bye with a huge, 94-yard performance against the Browns in Paris. He didn't get into the end zone in that game, but scored a touchdown in three of his previous four contests. Overall, the hulking tight end has 19 catches for 254 receiving yards and three touchdowns through eight games this season. He isn't running enough routes to be an elite option at the position, but he can be an emergency starter or fill in for an injury in deep leagues if needed. In Week 10, the Steelers face the Bengals, who have been a slightly favorable matchup for tight ends this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pat Freiermuth is Intriguing Waiver Pickup for Week 10
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth could be an interesting option to snag off the waiver wire in Week 10. The veteran tight end is coming off a bye week and heads into a favorable matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. A defense that ranks 21st in pass defense and 23rd against opposing tight ends this season. The Steelers could take advantage of that and target Freiermuth more frequently this weekend. He has finished with at least two receptions in every game this season. The yardage has been a struggle at times, but Freiermuth could be an option for fantasy managers looking for help with bye weeks.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Michael Pittman Jr. Nearing Return, Status Unclear for Sunday
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) is getting close to a return, but head coach Mike McCarthy had no definitive answer Monday on whether Pittman would play Sunday night against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Nick Farabaugh. Pittman stayed in Pittsburgh during the bye and rehabbed at the team facility through Friday. He went on injured reserve Oct. 10 and is eligible to return in Week 10 after missing four games. Pittman said during the bye that he had resumed running and hoped to play in the first game after the break. He had seven catches for 89 yards in three starts, with 58 of those yards coming in the opener against the Atlanta Falcons. Pittman caught two passes for 16 yards in the first meeting with Cincinnati. Pittman is a bench hold in deeper PPR leagues even if he returns Sunday. Germie Bernard caught at least five passes in three of the four games Pittman missed, finishing that stretch with 25 catches for 224 yards and a touchdown.
Source: Nick Farabaugh
Source: Nick Farabaugh
Michael Pittman Jr. Hopes to Return After Bye Week
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) has started running and hopes to return following the team's Week 9 bye, according to Ashley Wenskoski of Pittsburgh Sports Tonight. Pittman explained that his injury initially began as plantar fasciitis before developing into a different foot issue, although he did not specify the exact diagnosis. He also said surgery was never under consideration. The 29-year-old has been on injured reserve since October 10 and is eligible to return against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10 on November 15. Pittman caught just seven of 12 targets for 89 yards in three appearances before landing on IR. Rookie Germie Bernard has taken on a larger role during his absence, recording 32 receptions for 284 yards and a touchdown. Pittman's progress is encouraging, but his limited early-season production and Bernard's emergence leave questions about his fantasy value whenever he returns.
Source: Ashley Wenskoski
Source: Ashley Wenskoski
Jaylen Warren Remains Effective Despite Heavier Backfield Split
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in his team's 27-6 rout of the Cleveland Browns. He failed to gain a yard on his lone catch (two targets). Warren was electric again on Sunday, carving up a porous Browns defense to tie a career-high in rushing yards. It was the fourth time this season that he surpassed 100 yards on the ground, while the rushing score was his second. In an encouraging turn of events, the Oklahoma State product was still uber-effective despite teammate Rico Dowdle's increased involvement. The latter was clearly out-touched through his first two games back from a toe injury, but brought the backfield carry split considerably closer. Either way, Warren was more efficient with his work and wasn't hampered in terms of fantasy. The 28-year-old continues to rip off long, chunk gains and is an enticing weekly play. He and the Steelers will get some time off before returning for a road matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
DK Metcalf Disappoints in Win Over Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf recorded one catch for four yards in a 27-6 win over the division-rival Cleveland Browns in Week 8. Metcalf saw six targets, but he was only able to reel in one single reception for an incredibly low yardage total in a highly disappointing day for fantasy managers. Unsurprisingly, the one reception and four yards were both season lows for Metcalf in 2026. Tight end Darnell Washington led the Steelers with three receptions (on five targets) for 94 yards on Sunday. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for just 172 yards on a day when the Steelers leaned on running backs Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle in the ground game, rushing for 200 yards as a team. Through eight games, Metcalf has recorded 33 receptions for 378 yards and a touchdown in 2026. Following a bye week, Metcalf will look to bounce back in a Week 10 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Germie Bernard's Expanded Role Faces a Week 8 Test
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard has played at least 91% of the offensive snaps in each of his last three games, but his weekly targets have fluctuated from nine to 12 to five. He caught 11 passes for 87 yards and a touchdown against Tampa Bay in Week 6 before being held to three catches for 27 yards against New Orleans. That leaves him at WR27 in RotoBaller's Week 8 rankings, a viable PPR flex consideration for Sunday's home game against Cleveland. The Browns have allowed no more than 182 passing yards in any of their past three contests, and Bernard caught just two passes for 11 yards in the teams' first meeting. He played only 40% of Pittsburgh's snaps in that game, however, and his role has since changed substantially. Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and Roman Wilson (finger) remain on injured reserve, while Ben Skowronek (calf) is also inactive, keeping Bernard heavily involved in an undermanned receiving group.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Darnell Washington a Touchdown-Dependent Option for Week 8
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington is looking to keep his touchdown streak alive in Week 8. Washington has scored in two straight games as he heads into a huge AFC North matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The big tight end has scored in three of his last four games, but he hasn't done much in terms of receiving yardage. Over those four games, Washington has finished with 10 receptions for 68 yards. He'll draw a tough matchup against the Browns defense, which is ranked 6th in the league in opponent passing yards per game. Washington is currently ranked as Rotoballer's TE28 heading into this game. Fantasy managers should consider Washington a touchdown-dependent option for this big divisional matchup.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chris Boswell A Solid Fantasy Option Against Division Rival
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell drilled all three of his field goal attempts and his lone extra-point try in a 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints last week. He'll look to keep rolling against the Cleveland Browns in an important Week 8 matchup. Boswell missed a field goal when these teams met in Week 4, but he's converted nine of his 10 attempts since then and hasn't missed an extra point all season. The only factor working against Boswell's fantasy outlook this week is the projected point total of around 39.5. Fantasy managers can consider other options in more favorable matchups, but Boswell remains a quality starter who should stay on the fantasy radar in what projects to be a competitive game.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST an Elite Week 8 Option
The Pittsburgh Steelers surrendered just 10 points to the New Orleans Saints while recording two sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception in their Week 7 victory. In Week 8, they'll face the 5-2 Cleveland Browns in a pivotal AFC North showdown. Despite their record, the Browns are scoring the fifth-fewest points per game in the NFL while allowing the most sacks. Pittsburgh ranks among the top 10 teams in both sacks and turnovers forced, so this looks like a great opportunity to start the Steelers DST at home. Fantasy managers who have been rolling with Pittsburgh's defense, which ranks as a top-five option in RotoBaller's Week 8 DST rankings, should continue doing so with confidence on Sunday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pat Freiermuth Has Unreliable Floor in Week 8
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has had some standout fantasy performances this season but managed just two receptions for 20 yards in last week's win over the New Orleans Saints. Although he found the end zone against the Cleveland Browns in Week 4, he'll be difficult to trust when these teams meet again on Sunday. Cleveland has been a middle-of-the-road matchup for fantasy tight ends this season, allowing just under 11 half-PPR fantasy points per game to the position. With teammate Darnell Washington playing meaningful snaps and commanding red-zone targets, Freiermuth's opportunities are becoming increasingly unreliable despite his chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The 28-year-old should only be considered a bye-week fill-in, and fantasy managers can likely find a better option in most formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Germie Bernard Remains a Quality Flex Option in Week 8
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Germie Bernard underwhelmed fantasy managers last week after his breakout performance in Week 6 and will look to get back on track against the Cleveland Browns in a divisional matchup. Bernard had just two receptions for 11 yards against Cleveland in Week 4, but he was still playing behind Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and Roman Wilson (finger), both of whom will be sidelined on Sunday. Cleveland's defense has been vulnerable to opposing wide receivers this season, so despite the low projected point total, there is reason to believe Bernard and running mate DK Metcalf can find success in this contest. Bernard will need to show more consistency to become a weekly fantasy starter, but he remains a viable flex option in what projects to be a competitive game.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DK Metcalf Looks to Repeat Success Against Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf was held to just two receptions in last week's win and will look to get more involved against the Cleveland Browns in Week 8. Cleveland has allowed several big performances to opposing wideouts this season, including one from Metcalf when these teams met in Week 4. Pittsburgh's WR1 finished with five receptions for 115 yards on nine targets, while Roman Wilson (finger) added three catches for 74 yards and a touchdown in the loss. With Wilson and Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) both on injured reserve, Metcalf and rookie Germie Bernard should once again serve as quarterback Aaron Rodgers' top options in the passing game. Metcalf's boom-or-bust production makes him difficult to rely on consistently, but he still offers plenty of upside as a fantasy WR2 in this crucial divisional matchup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rico Dowdle Has Sneaky Flex Value in Week 8
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle has been getting more involved since returning from a toe injury and should again play an important role against the Cleveland Browns in Week 8. While Dowdle only finished with nine carries last week, he led the Steelers in receptions, securing all six of his targets for 45 yards. Cleveland is giving up the ninth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, but it is surrendering the fourth-most yards per carry and allowed the Tennessee Titans to rush for 141 yards and three touchdowns in Week 7. Given how thin Pittsburgh is at wide receiver right now, Dowdle's role as a pass-catcher should continue alongside his work as a change-of-pace option behind teammate Jaylen Warren. The backfield split keeps Dowdle from being a must-start fantasy option, but the 28-year-old has flex appeal and could surprise in this matchup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Warren Should Remain Locked Into Lineups Against Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren eclipsed 100 rushing yards for the third time this season last week and will look to keep rolling against the division-rival Cleveland Browns in Week 8. Warren didn't score a touchdown when these teams last met in Week 4, but the 27-year-old still managed 126 total yards on 20 touches. Although Cleveland has been solid against fantasy running backs this season, it is allowing the fourth-most yards per carry and was just gashed on the ground by Tony Pollard of the Tennessee Titans in Week 7. With Rico Dowdle back in the mix, Warren is playing fewer snaps, but his efficiency as both a runner and pass-catcher keeps him in must-start territory as a high-end RB2 this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
