The Pittsburgh Steelers returned to practice on Monday after playing their second preseason game against the New York Jets on Friday night. Pittsburgh has less than three weeks until it opens the regular season against the Atlanta Falcons, and a few injury updates seem to be heading in a positive direction.
On Monday, ESPN’s Brooke Pryor reported that both wide receivers DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. were in pads and going through the stretching period.
Both wide receivers have not practiced since Aug. 8 with undisclosed injuries.
Steelers Will Need a Big Season From Both Metcalf and Pittman
The Steelers traded for Metcalf from the Seahawks last season, sending a 2025 second-round pick and a late-round pick swap to Seattle. Metcalf appeared in 15 games last season, recording 59 receptions for 850 yards and six touchdowns. He missed the last two games of the regular season due to an altercation with a Lions fan in a Week 16 win at Ford Field. Metcalf reached into the stands and grabbed the Lions fan around the collar after the fan had a few words for him.
The Steelers added Pittman Jr. this offseason after trading a 2026 second-round pick to the Indianapolis Colts. Pittsburgh then turned around and extended Pittman to a three-year, $59 million deal.
Pittman has been in the NFL for six seasons. He has recorded 485 receptions for 5,254 yards and 25 scores in 96 career games.
Pittsburgh didn’t have much of a No. 2 receiver last season. But Pittman should be a great No. 2 wide receiver, something that Aaron Rodgers will now be able to rely on.
Metcalf Wants to be a Better Leader This Season
Metcalf is heading into his eighth NFL season, but there is one thing he truly wants to do this season, and that is to grow as a leader.
“Continue to grow in my leadership role. Speak more. Continue to work my butt off in every aspect,” Metcalf said in July, via Steelers Now’s Chris Ward. “Continue to be a good person on and off the field. So just some personal goals for myself, and ultimately we’re trying to win a Lombardi Trophy. So taking it one day at a time and not looking too far ahead to February, but being right here where my feet are and just enjoy this last moment with Aaron [Rodgers].”
When the NFL suspended Metcalf for the last two games of the 2025 regular season, it almost ended the Steelers’ playoff hopes. Pittsburgh needed to win one of the last two regular season games to win the division, but they went to Cleveland and lost to an underwhelming Browns team in Week 17.
But the Steelers would go on to beat the Ravens in Week 18 on “Sunday Night Football” due to a last-second missed goal from Baltimore kicker Tyler Loop.
If Loop had made the kick, the Steelers would have missed out on winning the AFC North and making the playoffs. A lot of that would have fallen on Metcalf, who couldn’t be out there.
Metcalf has to keep his emotions in control this season, and if he can, the Steelers could have a good chance of making the playoffs once again.
Steelers Receive Positive Update on DK Metcalf & Michael Pittman Jr. Ahead of Game Vs. Bills