Fantasy Football News

The Steelers have ruled Edge Alex Highsmith out for Sunday's game against the Bengals with a pectoral injury that kept him out of practice all week. That damages the Pittsburgh pass rush, but Nick Herbig has filled in effectively in the past and will start opposite T.J. Watt. He's worth a look where available on waivers in IDP leagues.

The Steelers are set to announced the signing of S Jabrill Peppers, according to multiple reports. That comes two days after S DeShon Elliott left the win over the Jets with a knee injury. And there are mixed early signals out Elliott's outlook.

Steelers S DeShon Elliott is doubtful for Saturday's game against the Ravens with the hamstring injury that kept him out of the Week 15 loss to the Eagles. Elliott returned to a limited Thursday practice, which could signal a Week 17 return to game action.

The Steelers listed Edge T.J. Watt as a full participant in Thursday's practice and gave him no injury designation for Saturday's game against the Ravens. So Watt's ready to play just six days after spraining an ankle late in the loss to the Eagles. Don't be surprised if we get a more limited version of Watt against Baltimore. But there's risk to sitting the star pass rusher. I'll be watching for reports ahead of the game signaling any specific limitation on his playing time or mobility.

Steelers Edge T.J. Watt left Sunday's loss to the Eagles late in the fourth quarter with a left leg injury. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's a low-ankle sprain. Watt said after the game that X-rays were negative.

J.J. Watt reports that the injury to his little brother's knee isn't as bad as originally feared. He says Steelers Edge T.J. Watt sustained a mere Grade 2 sprain to his left MCL. That could still knock the younger Watt out of Pittsburgh's playoff opener. But it gives him a better chance to play than previous reports or a tear or Grade 3 sprain. We'll see about Watt's status heading into Wild Card weekend.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Steelers believe Edge T.J. Watt suffered a Grade 3 sprain to his left MCL in Saturday's win over the Ravens. Watt reportedly wanted to re-enter the game after sustaining the injury, but the team would not let him. He'll have further testing to confirm what is typically a multi-week injury. If the Steelers make the playoffs -- they need some help Sunday -- we'll see whether Watt can return for the opener.

Update: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's believed to be an MCL tear. That would seem to make Watt unlikely to play in the playoffs, if Pittsburgh qualifies.

Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) and LB Elandon Roberts (pec) put in limited practices Wednesday. It marked the first workout for Fitzpatrick since he left Week 15 with the injury. Roberts also practiced for the first time since leaving Week 16 early. We'll see whether the defensive starters are ready to play Saturday against the Ravens.

Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick will miss a second straight game with his knee injury. He has yet to practice since sustaining the injury. This will be the sixth missed game among the past nine for Fitzpatrick, leaving a severely depleted safety corps to face the Seahawks. Eric Rowe started in Fitzpatrick's place last week, collecting 7 tackles (3 solo) and an INT against the Bengals. He's still tough to use in Week 18 IDP lineups after just one start.

The Steelers announced Thursday that DL Cameron Heyward has cleared the concussion protocol. Rather than publicly ponder whether Pittsburgh's concussion process should get league review after Heyward, T.J. Watt, and Alex HIghsmith all cleared in time for the game following their injuries ... we'll just go ahead and get Heyward into the Week 16 DL rankings. He's a decent IDP option against a Bengals team that did allow him a sack last time. But Heyward hasn't generated more than 2 pressures in a game this year. He's a solid bet for tackles -- including a tackle for loss -- but a less-good bet for sack production.

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin said Monday that S Minkah Fitzpatrick will miss Saturday's game against the Bengals with the knee injury that knocked him out of the Week 15 loss to the Colts. Trenton Thompson filled in and led Pittsburgh safeties in playing time in a game that also saw S Damontae Kazee ejected. CB Patrick Peterson also shifted over to safety for most of the game. Tomlin on Monday mentioned Eric Rowe and Elijah Riley as potential safety help for Week 16. The group is likely not worth your attention for IDP purposes this week. You can find a steadier option.

Update: The NFL has suspended Kazee for the rest of the season for "repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players," according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. That leaves Pittsburgh without its top two current safeties, with Keanu Neal also not ready to return from IR.

Steelers Edge Alex Highsmith has cleared the concussion protocol. The team says he's expected to play Saturday against the Colts. With T.J. Watt clearing the protocol earlier this week, Pittsburgh's defense will have both edge starters back the game after they sustained their injuries against New England.

Steelers Edge Alex Highsmith left in the first half of Thursday night's game against the Patriots with a neck injury. The team ruled him out for the game before halftime. We'll see about his status for Week 15 and beyond.

NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reports that Steelers LB Elandon Roberts will play tonight against the Patriots. Roberts turned up questionable despite injuring his groin early in Sunday's contest and quickly being ruled out. Roberts managed limited practices the past two days. We'd still be a little wary of using him this week, with the risk of re-injury. But Roberts does appear in our Week 14 LB rankings. We've also nudged LB Mykal Walker down.

Update: Roberts is officially active.

Steelers LB Elandon Roberts left Sunday's game against the Cardinals in the first half with a groin injury and was ruled out before halftime. That doesn't bode well for his chances of being ready for Pittsburgh's Thursday night game against the Patriots. Mykal Walker took over defensive play-calling duties after Roberts and would likely lead the LB corps in playing time in any further games Roberts misses.

Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick is off the final injury report for Sunday's game against the Cardinals. That follows a week of full practices and indicates Fitzpatrick is all the way back from the hamstring injury that cost him the past four games. There's some risk in trusting Fitzpatrick in his first game back, but the team's treatment suggests they do. You'll find Fitzpatrick just outside DB2 territory in our Week 13 rankings.

The Steelers have ruled S Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) out for Sunday's game against the Bengals. It'll be his fourth straight game missed, and Fitzpatrick still has yet to return to practice since suffering the injury. With Keanu Neal on IR, Damontae Kazee looks like the only full-time Pittsburgh safety. Trenton Thompson (77%), Miles Killebrew (21%), and Elijah Riley (9%) all saw playing time at safety in the last game.

Steelers LB Kwon Alexander tore his left Achilles' tendon in Sunday's win over the Packers, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. That marks the second straight week Pittsburgh has lost a starting LB to a season-ending injury. It's the second career Achilles' tear for Alexander, who suffered the injury to his right leg back in December 2020. The veteran's on a one-year contract and will be 30 when next season begins. So this injury has a chance to end his career. We'll keep an eye on Alexander's comeback. But, unfortunately, he won't be worth keeping even in dynasty formats. Elandon Roberts should now emerge as the position's playing-time leader for Pittsburgh.

As feared, Steelers LB Cole Holcomb will miss the rest of the season with the left knee injury that knocked him out of Thursday night's win over the Titans. Details of the injury have yet to surface, but multiple reports say he'll need surgery and has been discharged from the hospital after staying over night. Holcomb's injury removes the team's lead LB and should mean more playing time for both Kwon Alexander and Elandon Roberts. It shouldn't mean much difference for the defense's overall performance. Pro Football Focus grades Roberts -- No. 3 in playing time among the trio to date -- slightly better than Holcomb in run defense. PFF also rates both Roberts and Alexander better in coverage and pass rushing. Holcomb has two more years on his contract, but the Steelers could dump him ahead of the 2024 season at a roughly $3.3 million hit in dead cap space.

Steelers LB Cole Holcomb left in the first half of Thursday night's game against the Titans with a left knee injury. He needed to be carted off. Afterward, play-by-play man Al Michaels called it an injury that didn't need to be shown again. Pittsburgh quickly ruled Holcomb out for the game, and this seems likely to be a season-ender. We'll watch for more details. Kwon Alexander and Elandon Roberts would lead the position if Holcomb is out. Roberts has topped 44% playing time just once through seven games. Alexander has played more, with five games of 54% snap share or more. But he has yet to reach 70% in a game. Alexander looks like the better bet for more playing time while Holcomb is out.