Steelers Injury Updates, Metcalf Fallout, and What’s Next in a Critical AFC North Stretch
As we head into Week 17, the AFC North is as chaotic and competitive as ever - and the Pittsburgh Steelers are right in the thick of it. With the playoff picture still unsettled, Pittsburgh is juggling injuries, suspensions, and a matchup with the league’s top-ranked pass defense. Let’s break down where things stand for the Steelers and their divisional rivals heading into a pivotal weekend.
Around the AFC North: Injury Notes and Key Developments
Let’s start with a quick look around the division.
In Baltimore, Lamar Jackson was absent from practice this week, while Packers QB Jordan Love was limited - a storyline to watch ahead of their Saturday showdown. Cincinnati continues to see young pass rusher Myles Murphy emerge as a foundational piece on defense, while in Cleveland, the Browns made a notable decision regarding Deshaun Watson’s recovery timeline. Even in what many have called a “lost season” for the Browns, a couple of rookies continue to shine, offering hope for the future.
T.J. Watt’s Status: Still Up in the Air
The Steelers are keeping things close to the vest when it comes to T.J. Watt and his recovery from a punctured lung. Head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t offer much in his latest media availability, saying, “No new update on T.J.” and adding that he’d have more information after evaluating Watt’s participation early in the week.
Tomlin did acknowledge that Watt’s return is likely more about regaining football shape than recovering from the medical procedure itself - a sign that the All-Pro linebacker could be nearing a return. While Watt hasn’t spoken publicly yet, that may change soon. For now, there’s a quiet optimism building in Pittsburgh that their defensive centerpiece could be back on the field before the season ends.
No Action Against Fan in DK Metcalf Incident
The fallout from DK Metcalf’s suspension continues, but the NFL has made one thing clear: there will be no disciplinary action taken against Ryan Kennedy, the fan involved in the incident with the Steelers wide receiver. According to the league, there was no violation of the fan code of conduct, and the Lions - who hosted the game - are also choosing not to pursue any consequences.
The league’s decision to uphold Metcalf’s two-game suspension while taking no action against the fan sends a clear message about where they believe the line was crossed. While videos of the incident haven’t offered a definitive picture, the league has drawn its conclusion.
Justin Fields’ Season Ends on IR
Former Steelers quarterback Justin Fields won’t see the field again this season for the New York Jets. Head coach Aaron Glenn announced that Fields is heading to injured reserve with a knee injury, ending what’s been a turbulent campaign.
Fields started the year with fireworks, torching the Steelers in Week 1, but things quickly unraveled. The Jets’ offense sputtered, Fields was benched, and now an injury has cut his season short. It’s a tough break for a quarterback whose NFL future as a starter is increasingly uncertain.
Jaylen Warren Banged Up, But Expected to Play
Pittsburgh’s running game took a hit last week when Jaylen Warren suffered an injury during the game against the Lions. Tomlin confirmed that Warren will be limited early in the week but expressed confidence that he’ll be ready to go against the Browns.
That’s good news for the Steelers, especially considering Warren’s explosive Week 16 performance, which included a pair of 40-plus-yard touchdowns. Even if he’s not at 100%, the emergence of Kenneth Gainwell as a reliable contributor gives Pittsburgh some breathing room. Gainwell has looked like a starting-caliber back in recent weeks and should continue to see a healthy workload.
DK Metcalf’s Suspension and Long-Term Outlook
Metcalf’s two-game suspension could’ve given the Steelers a contractual out - he reportedly forfeited $45 million in guarantees - but the team isn’t taking that route. According to reports, Pittsburgh has reaffirmed its commitment to Metcalf beyond 2026, signaling that they still see him as a long-term piece of the offense.
That said, the immediate challenge is clear: the Steelers will be without their most dynamic pass catcher for the next two games. And unless Baltimore stumbles against Green Bay, Pittsburgh will likely need to win at least one of those contests to stay alive in the playoff hunt.
Can the Steelers Offense Survive Without Metcalf?
Losing Metcalf is no small thing. He leads the team in yards per catch (14.4) among players with 25+ receptions and has been the Steelers’ most dangerous deep threat.
But Pittsburgh’s offense hasn’t been built around one player this season. In fact, running back Kenneth Gainwell leads the team in receptions with 62, and seven different players have logged 25 or more catches - a testament to how spread-out this passing attack has been.
The recent additions of Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling have added some veteran savvy and speed to the mix, and both have carved out roles in the last three weeks. If there’s a silver lining to Metcalf’s absence, it’s that it opens the door for others to step up - especially third-round rookie Roman Wilson, who’s been inactive the last two games but could now find his way back into the rotation.
Still, the challenge this week is steep. Cleveland’s pass defense is the best in the league, and they’ve made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks all season. That makes the ground game even more important - and with Warren expected to play and Gainwell in form, that could be where Pittsburgh leans most heavily.
What’s Next
The Steelers’ offense hasn’t always been easy on the eyes this season, and without Metcalf, it’s likely to stay that way. But this team has shown it can win ugly - and that’s exactly what might be required in these final weeks.
With the Browns and Ravens on deck, Pittsburgh’s postseason hopes are still alive, but the margin for error is razor-thin. If they can find a way to grind out one or two more wins - with or without their stars - they’ll be right in the mix when the dust settles.
Stay tuned. The AFC North drama is far from over.