DK Metcalf: Everything you need to know

Metcalf (suspension) brought in two of five targets for 42 yards in the Steelers' 30-6 wild-card loss to the Texans on Monday night. Metcalf returned from a two-game ban to close out the regular season and contributed 25- and 17-yard gains on his pair of grabs. His yardage total was a team-high figure, and he tied for second in targets as well. Ultimately, the Texans defense put the clamps on the Steelers offense as a whole, leading to a quiet finish to Metcalf's debut campaign in Pittsburgh. The veteran wideout posted a 59-850-6 line on 99 targets while adding two rushes for 12 yards across 15 regular-season games while working with Aaron Rodgers for the first time. Metcalf is in line to reprise his role as Pittsburgh's No. 1 receiver in 2026, but he may be working with a new quarterback for the second straight season.

Metcalf will return to action for the Steelers' Jan. 12 wild-card matchup with the Texans after his two-game suspension was lifted Monday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports. Metcalf was handed the two-game ban following the Steelers' Week 16 win in Detroit, after the NFL determined that he initiated a physical confrontation with a fan during that contest. Without their top wideout over the final two games of the regular season, the Steelers lost to the Browns in Week 17 but were able to punch their ticket to the postseason by claiming the AFC North crown with a 26-24 win over the Ravens on Sunday. Though the Steelers face a daunting matchup in the wild-card round against a staunch Texans defense, the return of Metcalf will at least give Pittsburgh a much-needed downfield threat on the perimeter. Over his 15 appearances during the regular season, Metcalf recorded 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns on 99 targets to go with two carries for 12 yards and another score.

Metcalf had his two-game suspension upheld by the league Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Metcalf was handed a two-game suspension for "conduct detrimental to the NFL" after an altercation with a fan in Detroit on Sunday, and his appeal was denied. The wide receiver will now be forced to miss the team's final two games of the regular season, and as a result, $45 million in guaranteed money on his four-year contract has now been voided. In his absence, Calvin Austin (hamstring), Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling will all be candidates to see increased workloads in Week 17 against the Browns.