The Steelers added RB Jaylen Warren (knee) to the injury report and he's questionable for Sunday vs. Minnesota.

TE Jonnu Smith (hip) and CB Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) are also questionable.

Related Players: Kenneth Gainwell, Kaleb Johnson, Pat Freiermuth

It would be interesting to see what kind of role Kaleb Johnson would have if Warren misses, but that shouldn't put him in fantasy consideration. If Jonnu misses, Freiermuth would move up in the top-20 TE range.

Steelers-Dolphins trade, Part II: Dolphins are trading tight end Jonnu Smith to the Steelers for a late-round pick swap, per ESPN sources.

Smith will get a one-year contract extension for $12 million.

Related Players: Pat Freiermuth, Pharoah Brown, Julian Hill

What's good for the Steelers offense isn't necessarily a good thing for fantasy. Freiermuth is coming off a career-high 65 receptions, but even with a lack of a bona fide WR2 in Pittsburgh, it's doubtful he hits that number with Smith in town. This obviously means Smith will have to fight for targets as well, and puts both of their TE1 outcomes in question. Jonnu, at least, has familiarity with Arthur Smith, so we can envision usable weeks, just not nearly as many as he would have had in Miami.

The TE options leftover in Miami can be safely avoided, unless they make a move for another guy. Malik Washington becomes slightly more palatable as a (very) late-round dart throw.

Details of the Steelers-Cowboys trade expected to be completed today.

Steelers receive 2026 3rd-round pick and a 2027 5th-round pick.

Cowboys receive WR George Pickens and a 2027 6th-round pick.

Related Players: DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, Roman Wilson, Pat Freiermuth, CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Tolbert, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy

With the relative lack of impactful Draft compensation, it's a wonder this didn't get done prior to or during the 2025 NFL Draft, but Pickens is on the move regardless.

For the Steelers, this makes Roman Wilson a little more intriguing as he heads into Year 2, and Freiermuth should see a little bump closer to high-end TE2 consideration.

For the Cowboys, this slightly lowers CeeDee Lamb's potentially astronomical target share, but gives QB Dak Prescott a much more reliable No. 2 option in what was already projected as a pass-heavy offense with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders making up their backfield. Pickens is now more of a high-end WR3 than a fringe WR4.

According to multiple reports, they have acquired Mike Williams in a deal with the Jets. They will send a 2025 fifth-round pick to the AFC East club.

Related players: George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Pat Freiermuth

Williams tore his ACL while playing for the Chargers in 2023 and signed a one-year deal with the Jets this offseason. He had 12 catches for 166 yards in the first nine weeks of the season, but his most notable moment with the team came when quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Williams ran the wrong route on a pass that was intercepted to seal a loss to the Bills in Week 6, the story went on to say. It remains to be seen what Williams can be with the Steelers at this point. If all goes right, Williams' upside could be a WR2 role once he's up to speed, but even then he's likely a third option behind Pickens and Freiermuth.

Sources: The Steelers plan to give Russell Wilson first-team reps in practice this week, putting him in line to make his season debut.

Related players: Justin Fields, George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson, Pat Freiermuth

Russ will get the start against the Jets on Sunday night it looks like. Pittsburgh is 4-2 with Fields, but with Wilson’s calf now fully healed it looks like the team is going to make a change. This could mean a better news for the Pittsburgh WRs as Wilson should throw the ball more vs. Fields escaping the pocket and running.

All of the tight ends should have opportunities to contribute in the passing game, but Pat Freiermuth has been the most consistent (and the most targeted) pass catcher of the group. After catching a career-low 32 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns last season while missing time with a hamstring injury, he expects to be targeted not only more frequently but also in different ways.

Related Players: Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward

The article also mentions how perspective QB starter Russell Wilson carried the Broncos TE room to a 32nd-ranked finish in receptions (39) and yardage (362) last season. It remains to be seen how much fantasy upside the Steelers offense can provide with Wilson/Justin Fields at the helm.

Steelers have everyone status quo or updated on today’s injury report except Isaac Seumalo (DNP again) and Diontae Johnson, who missed with a knee injury. TJ Watt (full) and Alex Highsmith (limited) remain on track. Najee Harris and Damontae Kazee were full participants.

Related Players: George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, Allen Robinson

Johnson has been very unproductive since his first three games off the IR, topping 50 yards receiving only once in the last five games (57 yards last week). His catch rate has plummeted to 56.1%, which ranks 90th out of 100 qualifying receivers.
George Pickens was routinely productive while Johnson was sidelined, and has four games with 80+ receiving yards on the season. He would get a nice bump if his teammate were to miss Week 15.

The Steelers activated tight end Pat Freiermuth from injured reserve, allowing him to play Sunday against the Browns.

Freiermuth has been pretty quiet in fantasy this season. He has just eight catches for just 53 yards but does have two touchdowns. He’ll add a red-zone threat for Kenny Pickett. But until we see him more involved in the offense, he’s a low-end TE2.

Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin said during his Tuesday press conference that he feels good about tight end Pat Freiermuth’s potential return from a hamstring injury.

Freiermuth hasn’t played since the Week 4 loss to Houston, the story said. He has only eight catches for 53 yards with a pair of touchdowns in four games this year.

The Steelers activated WR Diontae Johnson from injured reserve and placed TE Pat Freiermuth on injured reserve.

Johnson is now able to play Sunday against the Rams. Freiermuth, on the other hand, is now out at least four games after aggravating his hamstring injury Thursday. Freiermuth will at miss games against the Rams, Jaguars, Titans and Packers. The Steelers are coming off their bye week. Johnson is a flex option in a tough matchup against the Rams and gives Kenny Pickett another weapon back. He’s a mid-tier QB2.