Steelers Receiving Corps Receive Major Injury Blow As Michael Pittman Jr., DK Metcalf Miss Practice originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Steelers have made a raft of changes to their receiving corps in recent campaigns, trimming the fat while adding a pair of Pro Bowl-caliber pass-catchers in DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.
Both are expected to feature prominently in Nathaniel Hackett's new-look attack. Metcalf and Pittman weren't quite able to hitting new heights during their 2025 seasons. And yet, Pittsburgh still is putting its faith in the 28-year-old wideouts to anchor its attack alongside Aaron Rodgers.
Pittman inked a two-year, $35 million accord with the Steelers in the offseason. Metcalf preceded him by signing a four-year, $132 million deal a year before. Both need time to cement their partnership with Rodgers, who toiled at times in his age-42 season. They haven't gotten many opportunities to do so thus far, with both Pittman and Metcalf missing practices after sustaining apparent injuries.
Here's the latest on Pittman and Metcalf's statuses, as well as timetables for their respective returns.
Michael Pittman Jr. Injury Update
Pittman was one of six players ruled out of Pittsburgh's practice session on Sunday. He took to the facility, according to Steelers Depot's Alex Kozora, but took to the rehab room. Kozora reported that Pittman did some light stretching on Saturday morning.
Pittman suffered a right leg injury during the Steelers' practice on Aug. 8. He missed all of Pittsburgh's practices this week, as well as its game on Thursday night. Head coach Mike McCarthy claimed that the former Colts wideout will be "hard-pressed" to return to action this upcoming week, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor.
Recently signed in free agency, Pittman is expected to field the lion's share of targets alongside Metcalf. He has flaunted impressive durability over the course of his career, missing just three matches in his last four seasons. His latest absence is somewhat confounding — there is a paucity of details regarding the severity of Pittman's ailment. Nevertheless, his return to the practice facility, albeit in limited fashion, should breathe some life into Pittsburgh's fanbase — at least for a fleeting moment.
DK Metcalf Injury Update
Metcalf missed Sunday's practice session with an undisclosed injury. Like Pittman, he came to the facility, but wasn't wearing pads.
The 28-year-old pass-catcher sat out of the Steelers' first preseason game, watching on from the sidelines as Will Howard, Mason Rudolph and Drew Allar impressed. Given the sparse details regarding his injury, its unclear what his timetable for return is. Whereas Pittman took part in some light stretching, Metcalf was on the field, accompanying the quarterbacks.
Metcalf has enjoyed decent health as of late, playing 15 games last year. He was suspended two games following an on-field incident with a fan.
Steelers WR Depth Chart
| WR1 | WR2 | WR3 |
| DK Metcalf | Michael Pittman Jr. | Roman Wilson |
| Germie Bernard | Ben Skowronek | Kaden Wetjen |
| Max Hurleman | Brandon Smith | Jakobie Keeney-James |
| Levi Wentz | Cornell Powell | Jaheim Bell |
With Metcalf and Pittman missing for much of Pittsburgh's training camp thus far, second-year wideout Roman Wilson has vaulted to the top of Pittsburgh's wide receiver depth chart. The 25-year-old made 12 catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns in 2025, which effectively proved to be his rookie season after missing all but one game due to a variety of injuries.