Steelers Injury Central: 3 Out, 5 Questionable vs. Buccaneers

Steelers Injury Central is your home for all Pittsburgh Steelers injury updates, throughout the 2026 season and beyond.

Three Pittsburgh Steelers have been ruled out for the team’s Week 6 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, and five more are questionable to suit up, according to the team’s Friday injury report.

Two wide receivers Ben Skowronek and Roman Wilson left the team’s 34-22 Week 5 win over the Indianapolis Colts with injures and did not return — and they won’t be back this week, either.

Skowronek suffered a calf injury early in the second quarter, and then Wilson injured his left hand on the final offensive drive of the first half. Wilson had a large wrap on his left hand after the game. On Monday, head coach Mike McCarthy said neither player will return to active this week.

Fellow wide receiver DK Metcalf was initially listed as questionable to play after missing practice on Friday with an illness, but he has now been cleared to play.

Tight end Pat Freiermuth is also questionable to play after suffering a calf injury in practice on Saturday.

Strong safety DeShon Elliott remains limited in practice and will not return this week.

Starting cornerback Jamel Dean was ruled out last week, but might be ahead of the curve on the initial multi-week estimate for his injury. He is listed as questionable.

Running back Rico Dowdle, who is recovering from a dislocated toe on his left foot, is also questionable to make his return to the lineup, as is defensive tackle Keeanu Benton, who has an ankle injury, and defensive back Jalen Ramsey, who has played through his broken wrist the last two weeks.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY CENTRAL

Changes in bold. Click the player name to jump to each individual player’s injury. Updated on Oct. 17.

TE Pat Freiermuth, calf, Oct. 17

Tight end Pat Freiermuth suffered a calf injury in practice on Saturday, Oct. 17 and was added to the team’s official injury report for Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a questionable designation.

Darnell Washington will start at tight end if Freiermuth is unable to play on Sunday, with Robert Tonyan likely seeing an extended role. The Steelers did not promote a tight end from their practice squad.

WR DK Metcalf, illness, Oct. 16

Wide receiver DK Metcalf has had his injury status removed and he has been cleared to play in the Steelers’ Week 6 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Metcalf missed practice on Friday, Oct. 16 with an illness and has been listed as questionable to face Tampa Bay, but was cleared on Saturday.

RB Rico Dowdle, left toe, Sept. 20

Running back Rico Dowdle was a full participant in practice on Thursday, Oct. 15 and Friday, Oct. 16, but remains questionable to return to the lineup on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had been a limited participant in practice for the fourth straight session on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Dowdle did not play in Week 5 after being listed as questionable. He was limited in all three sessions leading up to the week.

Dowdle did not play in the Steelers’ Week 4 game against the Cleveland Browns after missing all three practice session of the week. He was also ruled out of the Steelers’ Week 3 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Dowdle suffered the toe injury in the Steelers’ Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots. He initially left the game, and was listed as questionable, before attempting to return. But Dowdle eventually exited again and was ruled out.

Travis Homer replaced Dowdle in the rotation at running back with Jaylen Warren.

DT Keeanu Benton, ankle, Oct. 11

Defensive tackle Keeanu Benton was a full participant in practice on Friday, Oct. 16, but remains questionable to play on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Benton missed practice on Wednesday, Oct. 14 and was limited on Thursday, Oct. 15. It’s not clear when or how Benton suffered the injury. He did not suffer an obvious injury during the team’s Week 5 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Oct. 11.

With Derrick Harmon also out, veteran Sebastian Joseph-Day would likely replace Benton in the starting lineup if he’s unable to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6.

CB Jalen Ramsey, right upper body, Sept. 27

Defensive back Jalen Ramsey was limited in practice on Thursday, Oct. 15 and Friday, Oct. 16 after not practicing on Wednesday, Oct. 14, as the team continues to manage his workload as he plays through a broken wrist. Ramsey is officially questionable to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Ramsey played against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 6 after he was listed as questionable. He had been limited in practice on Thursday, Oct. 8 and Friday, Oct. 9 and did not practice on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Ramsey played in Week 4 after being listed as questionable and being limited in all three of the team’s practices. He had his arm in a sling for Monday’s practice, but ditched the sling for a cast on Tuesday.

Ramsey played every defensive snap for the Steelers in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals despite breaking his wrist early in the game.

Brandin Echols will likely replace Ramsey if he can’t return to action.

CB Jamel Dean, ankle, Sept. 20

Cornerback Jamel Dean was a limited participant in practice for the third day in a row on Friday, Oct. 16, as he attempts to return from an ankle injury. He is officially questionable to dress in week 6.

Dean might not miss as much time as initially thought with the aggravation of an ankle injury that he suffered against the Cleveland Browns in Week 4. Dean left the game in the first half and was seen in a walking boot afterward.

NFL Network reported on Sunday, Oct. 4 that Dean is expected to miss multiple weeks with the injury. Head coach Mike McCarthy said on Monday, Oct. 5 that Dean will be evaluated on Wednesday, Oct. 6, and will not be placed on injured reserve at this time.

McCarthy said on Thursday, Oct. 8 that Dean is feeling better than they expected, and Dean himself said he’s targeting a Week 6 return.

Dean apparently suffered an ankle injury in the Steelers’ Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots, and he missed some snaps near the end of the game.

Dean dressed and started after being listed as questionable to play against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. Dean did not participate in the team’s first practice of Week 3 on Wednesday, Sept. 23, but was listed as limited in the final two practice sessions of the week.

Dean has been replaced by Daylen Everette.

SS DeShon Elliott, hamstring, Aug. 21

Strong safety DeShon Elliott was a limited participant in practice for the fifth straight session on Friday, Oct. 16 and has been ruled out of a Week 6 return.

Elliott had his 21-day practice window opened and was a limited participant in practice on Thursday, Oct. 8. He was again a limited participant on Friday, Oct. 9, but was ruled out for a Week 5 return.

Elliott suffered an aggravation of a his 2025 hamstring injury after making his return to game action in the Steelers’ second preseason game against the New York Jets on Aug. 21.

Rookie Robert Spears-Jennings is expected to make his first career start at strong safety if Elliott cannot play.

WR Ben Skowronek, calf, Oct. 11

Ben Skowronek has been ruled out of the team’s Week 6 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, head coach Mike McCarthy said on Monday, Oct. 12.

Skowronek left the Steelers’ 34-22 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Oct. 11, late in the first half with a calf injury.

Skowronek was injured in the second quarter, was treated in the sideline medical tent, and then went straight to the locker room. He did not return to the sideline in the second half.

WR Roman Wilson, left hand, Oct. 11

Wide receiver Roman Wilson has been ruled out of the team’s Week 6 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, head coach Mike McCarthy said on Monday, Oct. 12.

Wilson left the Steelers’ 34-22 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Oct. 11, late in the first half with a left hand injury. Wilson hurt his hand attempting to make a catch on his lone target of the game. He was originally ruled to have caught the ball, but it was reversed on review.

Wilson was seen after the game with his left hand in a large wrap.

Rookie Germie Bernard, who had been playing outside receiver in place of Michael Pittman Jr, moved inside to fill in for Bernard, with Brandon Smith playing outside.

WR Michael Pittman Jr., foot, Sept. 17

Michael Pittman Jr. was placed on injured reserve on Saturday, Oct. 10. He is expected to miss multiple weeks, after suffered a setback in his left foot injury. He has been ruled out for the Week 5 game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Pittman seen with his injured foot on a scooter after practice on Wednesday, Oct. 7, and was listed as a limited participant in the session. He did not practice on Thursday, Oct. 8 or Friday, Oct. 9.

Pittman played against the Cleveland Browns in Week 4 and had been a full participant in the team’s practices leading up to that game. Pittman dressed and started after being listed as questionable to play against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3.

Pittman was downgraded to out for Week 2 after the team’s final practice of Week 2 on Saturday, Sept. 19. Pittman did not practice on Thursday or Friday after first being limited in practice with an injury on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Germie Bernard replaced Pittman in Week 2 and started in Week 4, but moved inside after Roman Wilson’s injury, with Brandon Smith replacing Pittman at that point.

DT Derrick Harmon, left foot, Oct. 2

Derrick Harmon was placed on injured reserve on Monday, Oct. 5, and by rule will miss at least four weeks with his left foot injury.

Harmon left his team’s Week 4 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, Oct. 2. Harmon left the game in the second quarter and was carted off the field. He was later seen at Huntington Bank Field wearing a protective boot.

Harmon was replaced by a combination of Yahya Black and Sebastian Joseph-Day.

OG Gennings Dunker, knee, Sept. 25

Rookie offensive lineman Gennings Dunker was placed on injured reserve on Saturday, Sept. 26, and is expected to miss four to six weeks with an MCL sprain. Dunker had previously been ruled out of the team’s Week 3 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Dunker suffered a knee injury at practice on Thursday, Sept. 24, and did not practice on Friday, Sept. 25. He had been a healthy scratch in Weeks 1 and 2.

OT Jack Driscoll, ankle, Aug. 24

Offensive lineman Jack Driscoll was placed on the injured reserve list, designated to return, on Aug. 30. He will miss at least the first four games of the season.

Driscoll was not dressed for practice during the portion of the session open to the media on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Driscoll had walked off the practice field with a member of the training staff during the portion of practice that was open to the media on Monday, Aug. 24, and returned with his ankle taped.

DT Logan Lee, undisclosed, Aug. 3

Steelers defensive tackle Logan Lee was placed on the injured reserve list on Thursday, Aug. 13, which will end his 2026 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with the team.

Lee had missed seven straight practices before being placed on IR. The nature of Lee’s injury has not been disclosed.

WR Cole Burgess, knee, Aug. 3

Cole Burgess reverted to the Steelers’ injured reserve list on Wednesday, Aug. 5. He will be out for the remainder of the season, unless he reaches an injury settlement with the team.

Burgess suffered a significant knee injury during training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, and was carted off the field at St. Vincent College. On Tuesday, Aug. 4, he was waived with an injury designation.

CB Donte Kent, ACL surgery, 2025

Donte Kent will begin the season on the PUP list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games. Kent was running off to the side on his own during the team’s first training camp practice on Wednesday, July. 29. He was first placed on the PUP list on Tuesday, July 28.

Kent missed his entire rookie season with the Steelers in 2025 with a pair of injuries. He suffered a calf/ankle injury in training camp, and then as he opened his practice window in an attempt to return, Kent suffered an ACL injury that caused him to miss the rest of the season. Kent was a limited participation in spring practice.

PREVIOUS INJURIES

CB Brandin Echols, concussion protocol, Sept. 27-Oct. 2

Cornerback Brandin Echols was a full participant in all three practices leading up to the team’s Week 5 home game against the Indianapolis Colts and suited up in that game. Echols played in Week 4 after being listed as questionable and being as limited in all three of the team’s practices.

Echols left the Steelers’ Week 3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals while being evaluated for a potential concussion. He cleared the NFL concussion protocol on Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Echols hit Bengals kick returner Ke’Shawn Williams facemask-to-facemask while attempting to secure a muffed punt. He was first evaluated on the sideline before being taken to the Steelers locker room. He did not return to the game.

Daylen Everette replaced Echols as the Dime defender.

RB Jaylen Warren, left shoulder, Sept. 20-Oct. 2

Running back Jaylen Warren dressed and started after being listed as questionable to play against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. Warren was limited in all three of the team’s practices of the week.

Warren apparently suffered a shoulder injury in the Steelers’ Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots, but finished the game without issue.

If both Warren and Dowdle miss time, the Steelers will likely call a up a running back from the practice squad.

LT Troy Fautanu, ankle, Sept. 13-27

Troy Fautanu was not listed on the team’s injury report for Week 3, and started against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was a full participant in all three practices.

Fautanu played despite being listed as questionable in Week 2. He was a full participant in practice on Friday, Sept. 16 after being a limited participant in practice on Thursday, Sept. 17 after missing the team’s first session of the week on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

Fautanu had a player roll up the back of his ankle during the fourth quarter of the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 13.

Dylan Cook moved to left tackle and Max Iheanachor played right tackle while Fautanu was out.

RG Spencer Anderson, leg, Sept. 20-27

Offensive lineman Spencer Anderson is dealing with a minor fracture in his leg, but was not listed on the team’s injury report for Week 3, and was a full participant in all three practices. He was dressed for the game against the Bengals, but was one of two dressed players to not suit up.

Anderson apparently suffered the injury in the Steelers’ Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots, but he did not miss any playing time in the game.

It appears that Brock Hoffman could be in line to replace Anderson in the lineup at right guard, regardless of his injury status.

WR Ben Skowronek, concussion protocol, Aug. 27-Sept. 12

Ben Skowronek returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Skowronek was cleared from the concussion protocol and was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Skowronek is expected to play in Week 1.

Skowronek left the team’s preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter, after making a tackle on a kickoff. He was immediately taken to the Pittsburgh locker room and did not return to the game.

QB Will Howard, concussion protocol, Aug. 27-Sept. 12

Will Howard returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Howard was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Howard was cleared from the concussion protocol, and was a participant in the team’s padded practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Thursday, Sept. 3.

Howard reported concussion symptoms after playing in the first half of the Steelers’ preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 27.

DT Sebastian Joseph-Day, oblique, Aug. 7-Sept. 12

Sebastian Joseph-Day returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Joseph-Day was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Joseph-Day first participated in the team’s unpadded practice on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

He was not dressed for practice on Tuesday, Aug. 25, while dealing with an oblique injury that also held him out of the team’s first two preseason games. He did not play in the preseason finale on Aug. 27. There is no specific timetable for his return.

Yahya Black stepped up as the No. 4 defensive lineman in his absence.

FB Riley Nowakowski, ankle, Aug. 27-Sept. 12

Fullback Riley Nowakowski returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Nowakowski was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Nowakowski suffered an ankle injury during the Steelers’ preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills.

FS Jaquan Brisker, undisclosed, Aug. 7-Sept. 12

Safety Jaquan Brisker returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Brisker was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Brisker did not participate in any of the team’s three preseason games.

He suffered some type of injury late in practice on Friday, Aug. 7, and was not dressed when the Steelers traveled to Latrobe Memorial Stadium for their night practice on Saturday, Aug. 9. Brisker dressed and took part only in individual periods on Monday, Aug. 10.

Robert Spears-Jennings moved into the starting lineup with Brisker out.

ILB Payton Wilson, undisclosed, Aug. 24-Sept. 12

Linebacker Payton Wilson returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Wilson was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Wilson was not dressed for the portion of practice open to the media on Tuesday, Aug. 25 with an undisclosed injury, and did not participate in the team’s preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 27.

Wilson was not wearing pads and was a limited participant in practice on Monday, Aug. 24. Wilson played in the team’s second preseason game against the New York Jets on Friday, Aug. 21, and played in 18 snaps without apparent issue.

Cole Holcomb replaced Wilson in the starting lineup while he was out.

DB Jalen Ramsey, knee, minicamp-Sept. 12

Jalen Ramsey returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Ramsey was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Ramsey once again practiced on Tuesday, Aug. 25, after being activated from the physically unable to perform list, but did not participate in the team’s final preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 27.

Ramsey was placed on the PUP list with a knee injury on the first day of training camp. Ramsey had been running off to the side running training camp practices. Ramsey suffered a minor knee injury toward the end of the team’s minicamp. The injury did not require surgery.

Brandin Echols replaced Ramsey in the team’s starting lineup.

WR Michael Pittman Jr., right leg, Aug. 8-Sept. 12

Michael Pittman Jr. returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Pittman was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Pittman was dressed for practice and was a limited participant on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Pittman had not been active since he apparently injured his right leg during a 7-on-7 period in the team’s practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium on Aug. 8.

Germie Bernard replaced Pittman in the starting lineup.

WR DK Metcalf, undisclosed, Aug. 8-Sept. 12

DK Metcalf returned to action in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

He was a full participant in the team’s first practice of Week 1 on Wednesday. Metcalf returned to practice in a limited capacity in Monday. Aug. 24, but did not participate in the team’s preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 27.

Metcalf suffered an undisclosed injury during the team’s Saturday night practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium on Aug. 8.

Max Iheanachor, apparent neck/shoulder, Aug. 6-27

Max Iheanachor returned to action in the Steelers preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 27. He had practiced for the second straight day on Tuesday, Aug. 25, after missing two and a half weeks with an apparent neck/shoulder injury.

Iheanachor left the Steelers’ practice after the first full-speed team period on Thursday, Aug. 6. He walked to the sideline, where head athletic trainer Gabe Amponsah appeared to be working on his neck and right shoulder area. Iheanachor then had a conversation with Dr. Aaron Mares, one of the team’s physicians, and left the practice field, walking up the hill.

Iheanachor was back dressed for Steelers practice on Monday, Aug. 10, even after McCarthy said that he would not take part in the practice session. Iheanachor did not participate in any team periods, but did do some individual work. He did not return to practice until Aug. 24 after that.

Broderick Jones replaced Iheanachor as the second-team right tackle, with Jack Driscoll bumping up to the second team at left tackle.

Brandin Echols, left ankle, Aug. 6-27

Slot cornerback Brandin Echols returned to action in the Steeles preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 27. He was dressed for practice on Tuesday, Aug. 25 as a limited participant.

Echols did not participate in either of the team’s first two preseason games and was also dressed but not in pads during his team’s practice on Wednesday, Aug. 19.

Echols came down awkwardly on his left ankle while jumping for a pass alongside Roman Wilson on Thursday, Aug. 6. Echols limped off the practice field and had a large wrap on his left ankle.

On Monday, Aug, 10, Echols had the walking boot off his injured left ankle. He had been seen with the walking boot on Saturday, Aug. 8.

Daylen Everette, undisclosed, Aug. 19-27

Rookie cornerback Daylen Everette returned to play in the Steelers’ preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills. He practiced in pads for the second straight day on Tuesday, Aug. 25 and told Steelers Now that he was feeling good to go after a minor injury. Everette suffered an undisclosed injury and was not dressed in pads for the team’s practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Wednesday, Aug. 19, and he missed the team’s Week 2 preseason game against the New York jets as a result.

Israel Mukuamu, lower body, Aug. 15-24

Safety Israel Mukuamu was released on Monday, Aug. 24 with an injury settlement.

Mukuamu left practice near the end of the team’s training camp practice on Saturday, Aug. 15, walking up the hill from Chuck Noll Field with team trainers, nursing an undisclosed lower-body injury.

Mukuamu did not participate in the team’s preseason game against the New York Jets on Aug. 21, and was not seen participating during the portion of practice open to the media on Wednesday, Aug. 19.

Kaden Wetjen, left ankle, Aug. 15-21

Kaden Wetjen was a full participant in practice for the second straight practice session on Wednesday, Aug. 19, and he returned to game action against the New York Jets on Aug. 21. Wetjen missed practice on Saturday, Aug. 15 with a left ankle ailment, and was working off to the side with trainers during practice periods.

Keeanu Benton, right hand/wrist, Aug. 7-13

Keeanu Benton was in the starting lineup for the Steelers’ preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Aug. 13. He had returned to practice in team periods on Monday, Aug. 11, and did not have the large wrap on his right hand/wrist during practice. Benton had been limited in practice since about Friday, Aug. 8, and has been seen with a large wrap on his right wrist. Benton had still been active in individual periods, and also has been running off to the side.

Eli Heidenreich, right hamstring, Aug. 5-13

Eli Heidenreich played 25 snaps in his preseason debut on Thursday, Aug. 13, after shaking off a right hamstring injury. He was back at practice in a full capacity on Tuesday, Aug. 11, after he returned to practice in a limited form on Monday, Aug. 10. Heidenreich missed the previous three sessions with a right hamstring injury.

Related Headlines

• Steelers Get Bad News on Roman Wilson
• Steelers Get Good News on WR DK Metcalf
• Steelers Get Concerning News on DK Metcalf

Read more at Steelers Now