Team Profile
Pittsburgh Steelers
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-2.1% 17thOff DVOA
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20.3% 15thPassing DVOA
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-8.8% 17thRushing DVOA
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-6.8% 7thDef DVOA
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-2.4% 8thDef Passing DVOA
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-12.7% 12thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
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Points For24.3 12th
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Points Against21.3 8th
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Yards Per Game326.0 18th
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Yards Allowed Per Game317.0 8th
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III carried his impressive performance from OTAs and minicamp into training camp. A 2022 fourth-round pick, Austin missed his entire rookie season due to a foot injury and saw limited action last year, with just 30 targets and 11 carries. At 5-foot-9 and 162 pounds, Austin is among the smallest players in the league, but the Steelers are giving him opportunities to play both inside and outside. He has demonstrated versatility by excelling in these roles, effectively handling short and deep routes and impacting various route types. Since the start of the year, Austin has been the team's second-best receiver, and nothing in the past week has altered that status. If he can outperform Van Jefferson and rookie third-round pick Roman Wilson for the second wide receiver spot, he could emerge as a valuable sleeper heading into 2024 fantasy drafts.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) was a partial participant in Sunday's practice, and head coach Mike Tomlin expects he'll work into some team periods this week. Wilson missed most of the first block of team practice at training camp last week, but he appears to be progressing well from his calf injury and could increase his activity during the second week of camp. He still has plenty of time to be ready to play by the time Pittsburgh's preseason opener comes around on Aug. 9 against the visiting Houston Texans. The 35-year-old former Pro Bowler is looking to give the Steelers some stability under center for the first time in years, but he's unlikely to be much of viable fantasy option outside of deep two-QB formats this fall in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's run-centric offense. Even so, Wilson closed with the ninth-most fantasy points per dropback (0.54) last year and could find himself on the streaming radar in potential shootout scenarios.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) put in the most work he's done so far in training camp during Sunday's practice. The veteran signal-caller went through agility drills, but didn't seem to be going full speed. Justin Fields continues to take first-team snaps while Wilson recovers from the calf injury. The good news is that Wilson seems to be trending in the right direction, but it's unclear when he'll return to the field with the rest of the team. Mike Tomlin has already spoken about Fields being able to win the starting position, but it remains to be seen whether that's truly the case.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are "open-minded" about the possibility of Justin Fields winning the starting quarterback role this summer. Although Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin suggested in March that Russell Wilson (calf) was in the leading position for the job, he did not wholly dismiss Fields as a contender. Tomlin decided to rest Wilson after a calf injury sustained during the team's conditioning test on Wednesday, prioritizing caution. Despite Wilson's more impressive resume, Fields offers considerable potential. The former Bears quarterback has demonstrated his dual-threat capabilities, rushing for over 1,100 yards two years agosomething new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will likely appreciate. While Fields might be a downgrade for the overall passing game in Pittsburgh, he has proven capable of supporting a top fantasy wide receiver, so George Pickens should remain a solid option. The more significant impact might be on Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, as Fields could reduce their rushing opportunities.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) continues to miss practice after suffering an injury early in camp. Head coach Mike Tomlin continues to say it's a day-to-day issue and Wilson hasn't suffered any setbacks. On Sunday, Wilson went through a mock game scenario and threw on the side. The Steelers aren't going to rush anything this early in camp. Quarterback Justin Fields will continue getting the first-time reps, but it shouldn't be long before Wilson is back and ready to play again.