The Pittsburgh Steelers announced Saturday they have elevated two wide receivers from the practice squad for the Week 7 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Neither one was veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
The team elevated receivers Brandon Johnson and Brandon Smith from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive List for the game,” wrote Steelers.com’s Teresa Varley. “They will revert back to the practice squad after the game.”
NFL teams are permitted two practice squad elevations per week. That means, Valdes-Scantling will not be active for Sunday’s matchup against the Saints.
The Steelers officially signed Valdes-Scantling to their practice squad Tuesday. The team added him just days after his release with the Los Angeles Chargers.
It’s not shocking he won’t play Sunday since he’s been back with the team for under a week. But the Steelers are desperate for more receiver production.
In Week 7, they will again be missing Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek because of injuries.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling Will Have to Wait for 2026 Steelers Debut
There was some chatter that Valdes-Scantling could play immediately for the Steelers this week. The veteran was returning to Mike McCarthy’s offense for the first time since his 2018 rookie season, but at least he had a previous relationship with the team’s play-caller.
Valdes-Scantling also played for the Steelers last year and has spent parts of five campaigns with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
But instead, the team will give Valdes-Scantling additional time to get acclimated. Perhaps the Steelers didn’t want to waste one of his practice squad elevations in a week where he wasn’t completely ready to fully contribute.
Valdes-Scantling spent the preseason with the Dallas Cowboys and then signed with the Chargers practice squad before the regular season. In Los Angeles, he had two receptions for 22 yards in three games.
Last season with the Steelers, Valdes-Scantling registered 10 receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown in five contests.
Steelers Elevate Brandon Smith, Brandon Johnson for Week 7
Instead of using Valdes-Scantling, the Steelers will deploy the same strategy they did last week with their practice squad elevations. Both Smith and Johnson will be active.
Smith will dress for Pittsburgh for a third straight game. Rodgers has said very positive things about what Smith has done and can bring to the table, but the receiver hasn’t gotten a target on 57 offensive snaps.
Smith has also played 22 snaps on special teams. He has posted one tackle.
Johnson will be active for the Steelers in a second consecutive week. The wideout played three offensive snaps, also not getting a target, in his 2026 debut against the Buccaneers. He didn’t receive an opportunity on special teams.
Unless either of those two receivers emerge as a target in the passing game Sunday, the Steelers will rely heavily on D.K. Metcalf and Germie Bernard once again. Those two each had 11 catches and more than 85 yards in the overtime comeback last week.
Steelers Give Final Call on Marquez Valdes-Scantling for Saints Game