The Pittsburgh Steelers head to New England with one offensive question hanging over the week: will Michael Pittman Jr. be available?
Pittman is dealing with a foot injury, hasn’t practiced since Wednesday, and is listed as questionable. That matters because he was one of the few bright spots in Week 1, finishing with a team-high 58 receiving yards and giving Aaron Rodgers a dependable target in the opener against Atlanta. He also fit neatly alongside DK Metcalf, giving the offense a cleaner rhythm than it had in the first game.
If Pittman can’t go, the Steelers may need to turn to Germie Bernard much sooner than planned.
Bernard was one of the more intriguing pieces Pittsburgh added in the 2026 NFL Draft, and he already flashed enough in the preseason to make noise. Across three games, he averaged 12.8 yards per catch and piled up 46 yards after the catch, showing the kind of burst and versatility that can change how an offense functions. That showing earned him the backup WR2 spot behind Pittman to open the season.
He hasn’t had much of a chance to matter yet. Bernard logged only three snaps against the Falcons, while Roman Wilson handled the bigger workload at receiver.
That usage made sense in the moment. Wilson’s speed and experience helped him separate, and he finished with three catches for 26 yards, plus a forced pass interference call and a near-touchdown on a deep ball in the end zone.
Still, the door may be opening for Bernard on Sunday. If Pittman is limited or unavailable, the rookie could see a much larger role against the Patriots.
Bernard’s college production suggests he can handle it. In 2025 at Alabama, he led the Crimson Tide in receptions with 64 and receiving yards with 862.
He also added 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns. That kind of all-purpose profile is exactly why he stands out.
He’s physical, he runs with purpose, and he can turn a routine catch into something bigger.
That versatility could matter even more with Rodgers at quarterback. The 42-year-old showed mobility and poise in Week 1, but Pittsburgh’s downfield connections were hard to come by. Bernard’s ability to work underneath and create yards after the catch could give Rodgers a simpler outlet and keep the offense on schedule.
If that happens, the Steelers may not need to chase big plays. They can let Bernard do what he does best.
Pittman’s injury is clearly a concern, but it also creates an opening. And if the Steelers need a next man up, Bernard looks ready for the chance.
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Steelers Hit With Two Costly Absences Ahead Of Patriots Trip
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Germie Bernard now looks set for a bigger role with Pittman Jr. sidelined, which gives the rookie a chance to make himself part of the conversation a little earlier than expected. For a Steelers team trying to stay steady on the road, the timing of these absences only adds to the challenge of getting through a tricky AFC test. [Read more 🡒]
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Steelers Secondary Faces A Different Kind Of Test This Week
A.J. Brown landing on injured reserve changes the shape of Pittsburghs Week 2 assignment, but it does not make the Patriots passing game any easier to sort out. Mike Vrabel said Brown worked from multiple receiver spots, and with him out, New England is expected to spread those looks around, using players such as Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and Romeo Doubs in different ways.
For the Steelers secondary, the challenge becomes less about tracking one featured target and more about adjusting to a receiver rotation that can shift from snap to snap. Browns absence removes a familiar centerpiece, but it also leaves Pittsburgh preparing for a more varied New England attack, which can be its own kind of test for a defensive backfield. [Read more 🡒]