News Article
Published
Oct 18, 2026 at 01:05 PM EDT
The Pittsburgh Steelers head to Tampa Bay on Sunday looking to build on last week's 34-22 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Sitting at 3-2, Pittsburgh is still a game behind the division-leading Baltimore Ravens and needs a win to keep pace. The Buccaneers, meanwhile, are just 1-4 and need to secure a victory to strengthen their position in the NFC South.
But leading up to the game, the Steelers received some good news, with wide receiver DK Metcalf cleared after an illness and tight end Pat Freiermuth also expected to play after a late calf concern popped up on Saturday. Having both players available gives Aaron Rodgers two of his top weapons, which is especially important given the team is already short on receiving options.
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Through five games, Metcalf has recorded 19 catches for 225 yards and a touchdown, while Freiermuth has caught 19 passes for 169 yards and four touchdowns. It's been a relatively disappointing season for Metcalf, while Freiermuth has emerged as Rodgers' go-to target in the red zone. But having both players on the field Sunday will be crucial.
The Steelers are already without wide receivers Roman Wilson, who is on injured reserve with a finger injury, and Ben Skowronek, who has a calf injury. Michael Pittman Jr. is also on IR with a foot injury, leaving Pittsburgh thin on pass catchers. Rookie Germie Bernard was expected to see more targets given all the injuries, but he should still slot in nicely next to Metcalf and Freiermuth.
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For Rodgers, this provides him with his two most trusted targets along with an ascending rookie in Bernard, who saw nine targets last week, catching six of them for 80 yards. Tampa's defense can't afford to focus too heavily on Jaylen Warren now, who's had an explosive start to the season, allowing Pittsburgh to have a more balanced offense.
After Sunday, the Steelers will face the Saints in Paris, followed by divisional matchups against the Browns and Bengals.