The Steelers may head into their second preseason game without two of the biggest names in their reshaped receiver room.
Mike McCarthy said DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. will be “hard pressed to work this week,” according to Alan Saunders of Steelers Now, and he did not offer a firm timetable for either wideout’s return. That leaves their status up in the air for Pittsburgh’s preseason matchup with the New York Jets on Friday, Aug. 21.
Both receivers already sat out the Steelers’ preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, so the clock is ticking on their chances to get back on the field. How much they can do in practice over the next few days will go a long way toward determining whether they suit up against New York.
If they remain sidelined, the opportunity opens wider for the rest of the group. Germie Bernard, Roman Wilson and Kaden Wetjen could all get more live reps, with Wilson standing out as the most obvious beneficiary on paper. He was expected to take on a larger role while the veterans were out, but against Green Bay he finished with just one catch for seven yards.
There’s also no reason for Pittsburgh to push either Metcalf or Pittman if the medical staff isn’t comfortable with their recovery. August is about getting healthy and getting ready for the games that count, not forcing veterans into meaningless snaps.
At the same time, every missed preseason game chips away at the live work Rodgers and the new pass-catching group can get together. Rodgers did not play in the opener, while rookie Drew Allar and the other quarterbacks carried the load in Pittsburgh’s 28-9 win.
For now, Metcalf and Pittman look like true question marks for the Jets game. Their practice work this week should tell the story.
In Other News...
Steelers QB Drew Allar Just Made Pittsburghs Plan A Lot More Interesting
Drew Allars first preseason showing gave the Steelers a fresh reason to pause and reassess how quickly their quarterback room might evolve. The third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft completed 10 of 13 passes with two touchdowns and added a rushing score, a debut that fit neatly with the kind of upside Pittsburgh believed it was getting even after waiting until the middle rounds to take him.
Mike McCarthy said on The Pat McAfee Show that the organization had seen Allar as a first-round talent, and the early returns only make the pick look more intriguing. There is still plenty of development ahead for the rookie, with the coaching staff continuing to work on his footwork and throwing mechanics, but performances like this tend to tighten the timeline and raise the stakes for everyone involved. [Read more 🡒]
DK Metcalfs Viral Clapback Has Steelers Fans Talking Again
DK Metcalf has already given Steelers fans plenty to chew on since arriving from Seattle, and his latest moment came off the field. After a critical comment popped up on Instagram, the Pittsburgh wide receiver answered with a humorous clapback that quickly took off across social media, giving both Steelers followers and Seahawks fans something to react to.
Metcalfs online exchange was the kind of light, viral flash that follows a player everywhere once he becomes a bigger name in a new market. He was traded to Pittsburgh after the 2024 season and later signed a contract extension, so every public move now gets extra attention, especially when it lands with the same mix of swagger and comedy that has long followed him around. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Camp Suddenly Puts Two Key Rodgers Targets In Doubt
Training camp has a way of sorting out depth charts quickly, and the Steelers are getting an early reminder of that with two of their most prominent wideouts sidelined. Michael Pittman Jr. has been out with a right leg injury, while DK Metcalf also missed practice, leaving Pittsburgh with a thinner receiver rotation than expected and forcing Roman Wilson into a more prominent role for the moment.
What makes the situation especially tricky is that the absences are not lining up on the same timetable. Pittmans status clouds the coming week for a receiver group that was already under the microscope, and Metcalfs situation is harder to read because the injury has not been disclosed. For a team trying to build timing and chemistry in camp, the uncertainty around two key targets is the kind of development that can reshape a room before the season even gets moving. [Read more 🡒]