The Steelers got a useful bit of news before their trip to Paris: Jordyn Tyson still isn’t ready to practice.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Tyson will not practice this week, which pushes back his NFL debut again and rules him out for the Saints’ international game against Pittsburgh in France. That means the first-round pick from Arizona State won’t be on the field for the first time this season.
That wasn’t always the expectation. Tyson injured his hamstring during a joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 13, and the initial recovery window pointed to roughly two months. But that timeline has come and gone, and the fact that he still isn’t back on the practice field makes it clear his return will have to wait a little longer.
For Pittsburgh, that matters because New Orleans can still stress a defense in other ways. Tyler Shough has already posted a 400-yard game this season, and the second-year quarterback has thrown for at least 250 yards in four of six games. He’s also turned in three performances with at least three touchdown passes.
The Steelers’ top assignment remains Chris Olave, who has been excellent in 2026. Juwan Johnson has also been a steady threat, working the middle of the field early in the year.
Beyond that, the Saints haven’t shown a deep list of dangerous receiving options. Devaughn Vele has been solid as New Orleans’ WR2, but the 6-foot-5 target hasn’t gone over 69 receiving yards in any game this season, even though he’s seen between six and nine targets in all six contests.
That’s why Tyson’s absence feels like such a break for Pittsburgh. If he had been available, he could have created a tougher matchup for the Steelers’ cornerbacks.
Pittsburgh’s secondary has held up well over the last three weeks with Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr. and Daylen Everette forming the cornerback group, while Jalen Ramsey has filled multiple roles back there since Joey Porter Jr. went out. But the challenge would have been sharper with Tyson in the mix.
Shough isn’t being discussed as a top-tier quarterback at this point, but he has outplayed the likes of Deshaun Watson, Daniel Jones and Jalon Daniels over the past three weeks. Add another real weapon to that passing game, and the assignment for Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham gets a lot more complicated.
Tyson’s talent is obvious. At more than 6-foot-2 and over 200 pounds, he brings movement skills and hip fluidity you don’t usually see in a bigger receiver. Still, the availability issue has followed him, and that remains the obstacle right now.
So for the Steelers, the path is a little cleaner heading into Sunday. If they can contain Olave, they’ll like their chances in Paris.
In Other News...
Steelers Secondary Is Making The Joey Porter Trade Harder To Judge
The Steelers decision to deal Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas on Oct. 1 already looked like the kind of move that would take some time to properly judge, and three games later the coverage numbers from the cornerback room have only complicated the picture. Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr. and rookie Daylen Everette have helped hold up well on the back end, giving Pittsburgh enough early evidence to suggest the position has not fallen apart without Porter.
Still, the stretch that produced those encouraging results came against a softer run of opposing quarterbacks, and that matters when trying to measure how much the trade really changed the defense. The Steelers have a tougher evaluation ahead, and if the schedule starts asking more of those corners, Porters absence could become a far bigger talking point than it has been so far. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Still Have One Clear Trade Deadline Need At Wide Receiver
The Steelers have already made one move to bolster their receiver room by adding Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but the position still looks like the most obvious area for help as the NFL trade deadline approaches. Pittsburgh needs more reliable depth around its current group, and the market offers a few different kinds of answers, from a steadier veteran presence to younger options with more explosive traits.
Kendrick Bourne, Dontayvion Wicks and Quentin Johnston each fit the conversation for different reasons, which is part of what makes the decision tricky. The Steelers have to balance experience, speed and availability while trying to avoid paying for the wrong kind of upside, and the closer they get to the deadline, the more every possible receiver addition has to be measured against the risks that come with it. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Face One Risky WR Decision As Trade Deadline Nears
The Steelers have already started shoring up their receiver depth by adding veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the practice squad, and he is expected to move onto the active roster. It is the kind of move that suggests Pittsburgh is looking for steadier answers around its passing game as the trade deadline approaches, especially with the front office continuing to weigh how aggressive it wants to be in upgrading the position.
Chris Godwins name has come up in some outside speculation, but the fit looks awkward on paper for Pittsburgh. His contract would be a major commitment, and the injury concerns attached to him make the idea even harder to justify for a team that needs reliability as much as upside. For now, the Steelers appear more likely to lean on the additions already in house than chase a costly swing that would carry plenty of risk. [Read more 🡒]