Wide receiver D.K. Metcalf made his return for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday. That was the good news. The bad news, though, was the team had to release a player from the active roster to make space for the wideout.
To create the roster spot for Metcalf, the Steelers announced waiving veteran cornerback Tre Flowers.
The team made the announcement on X.
The Steelers signed Flowers on Christmas Day. The veteran cornerback dressed for the team in its following game — the Week 17 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
Flowers sat out the Baltimore Ravens showdown in Week 18 as a healthy scratch.
In one game with the Steelers, Flowers played two special teams snaps. He didn’t record a statistic.
A fifth-round pick for the Seattle Seahawks in the 2018 NFL Draft, Flowers has started 44 games in the NFL. Of those starts, 37 of them came in his first three seasons.
In addition to the Steelers and Seahawks, Flowers has appeared in contests for the Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions during his career.
Steelers Waive CB Tre Flowers
With his release, Flowers’s tenure in Pittsburgh ended in less than two weeks. However, it will be interesting to see if the Steelers try to bring him back on the practice squad.
During the postseason, players have unlimited practice squad elevations. So, the Steelers could not only have Flowers return to the organization through their practice squad, but Flowers could also still play in games for the team.
To sign Flowers, though, he would have to clear waivers. Furthermore, the Steelers would have to release another player from their practice squad.
Pittsburgh is currently at the limit of 17 practice squad players (including linebacker Julius Welschof).
In his first two NFL seasons, Flowers registered 149 combined tackles, 14 pass defenses, four forced fumbles and three interceptions in 30 games. He started all 30 contests.
Since departing Seattle during the 2021 season, Flowers has started just four games. Three of those starts came with the Falcons in 2023. Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith was the Atlanta head coach at the time.
Flowers appeared in two games for the Lions in October 2025. During those contests, he played 12 defensive snaps and 11 snaps on special teams.
WR D.K. Metcalf Reinstated From NFL Suspension
Losing Flowers isn’t ideal for the Steelers because it hurts the team’s secondary depth. But it’s a sacrifice the team is willing to make for Metcalf.
The 28-year-old receiver led the Steelers with 850 receiving yards and 14.4 yards per catch. He also had a team-high six receiving touchdowns.
The Steelers went six consecutive quarters without scoring a touchdown without Metcalf before an outburst of three touchdowns in the second half versus the Ravens on Sunday.
Metcalf helps the Steelers offense in so many ways. He’s the team’s top deep threat. His return could lead to softer underneath coverage for Pittsburgh’s other wideouts. It could also mean fewer defenders available to slow down the Steelers rushing attack.
Metcalf is in his first season with the Steelers. But both the receiver and team are trying to end playoff losing streaks.
The wideout won his first playoff game with the Seahawks in January 2020. But he’s been part of three straight postseason defeats since then.
The Steelers have suffered six consecutive playoff losses. The team’s last win in the postseason was in January 2017.
In the AFC wild card round, the Steelers will host the Houston Texans on Monday, January 12.
Steelers Cut Former Starter to Bring Back WR D.K. Metcalf