The Steelers left their latest preseason game against the New York Jets looking rough, but they at least came out of it without any notable injuries. Around the league, though, another scare offered a sharp reminder of how quickly things can go sideways in August.
On Sunday, Ashton Jeanty went down during practice after trying to jump on a loose ball and came up with a lower-leg injury. The sixth-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft couldn’t put weight on his right leg and was carted off the field.
For a few hours, it looked like the Raiders might be staring at a nightmare. Then ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported after practice that Jeanty is believed to have a sprained ankle, and the team is breathing easier.
That kind of close call is exactly why teams have to be careful this time of year. As my co-host of the Stacking The Box podcast and FanSided Senior Contributor, Marcus Mosher, said recently: " Super Bowls can't be won in August, but they can be lost."
The Raiders aren’t exactly built for a Super Bowl push right now, but Jeanty’s scare still made their season flash before their eyes. And it wasn’t an isolated jolt. Injuries have already hit several teams hard in camp and practice.
Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins, their top draft choice in 2025, suffered a season-ending ACL injury in practice. Chargers center Tyler Biadasz, who makes $30 million, tore his ACL during a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers. Falcons standout Jalon Walker also tore his left ACL in training camp and is done for the year.
That’s the backdrop for the Steelers, who have done a good job of keeping things controlled. Head coach Mike McCarthy has been cautious with his starters, and most of his top players haven’t taken a preseason snap. He also kept Steelers training camp free of live tackling sessions and has made it clear he doesn’t like players going to the ground in practice.
There’s a tradeoff, of course. A lighter approach can slow a team down a bit when the season opens. But that’s a small price to pay if it keeps key players upright.
Jeanty’s injury scare turned out to be less severe than it first appeared, which is good news for fantasy football managers everywhere, myself included. It should also serve as a clear reminder to the Steelers: keep being careful with the starters until the 2026 season kicks off.
In Other News...
Steelers Depth Chart Just Sent A Confusing Message Before Final Tune-Up
With the final preseason game against the Bills looming, Mike McCarthy signaled that plenty of Steelers players could get a look before the games start to count. It is the kind of late-August tune-up that usually helps settle a few roster questions, but the latest depth chart did not do much to clear the picture. Aaron Rodgers remains listed as the starter at quarterback, with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Drew Allar following behind him.
More noticeably, the chart placed some veteran players lower than expected, which only adds to the uncertainty around how Pittsburgh plans to line up once the regular season arrives. The Steelers are close enough now that every preseason snap matters, but the arrangement of roles still feels unsettled in a few spots. For a team trying to sharpen its depth and define its pecking order, the final exhibition may end up revealing more about the roster than the chart did. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers O-Line Depth Suddenly Faces Pressure Ahead Of Bills Game
Jack Driscolls Monday practice ended early when the Steelers offensive lineman went off the field with a trainer after sustaining an ankle injury. For a Pittsburgh front that has leaned on its versatility up front, the timing is less than ideal with Buffalo coming up next, especially since Driscoll has been one of the players who can move around the line when needed.
His status now hangs in the balance as the Steelers wait to see how serious the ankle issue is and whether he can get back on the field in time for the Bills game. Driscolls ability to handle multiple spots has given the team some protection against injuries along the line, but his own track record makes this latest setback worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Suddenly Face A Joey Porter Jr. Decision With Huge Stakes
Joey Porter Jr. has quickly become one of the most intriguing names on the Steelers roster watch list, and not just because of what he has done on the field. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Pittsburgh is staring at a major fork in the road with its young cornerback, one that could force the team to either pay him at the very top of the market or consider moving him before the contract picture gets even more complicated.
For the Steelers, the stakes are obvious. Keeping Porter would mean betting on a premium defender and committing the kind of money that comes with that status, while a trade could bring back a first-round pick or more and free up significant cap space. The catch is simple enough: Porters recent performance makes him valuable enough to matter in either direction, which is exactly why this decision is drawing so much attention. [Read more 🡒]