Player Outlook
Veteran Fantasy managers have come to trust the Steelers DST as an automatic option. Those days could be numbered. True, the squad finished top 10 on a per-game basis in 2022 thanks to an impressive 20 interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries. It's those plays that helped cover up a lack of sacks -- 40 to be exact, though that was partially because pass rusher T.J. Watt missed seven games. Expecting over 40 sacks in 2023 makes sense, but with a retooled secondary and questions about how effective the front-seven players other than Watt can be, there could be a lack of takeaways and touchdowns that keep the defense from being a lock. Playing the 49ers in Week 1, along with tougher matchups against their improved division rivals, certainly add to the issues. Don't consider the Steelers DST to be a must-start unit -- it is worth consideration in the final round, if at all.

Fantasy News

  • Anthony Brown: Released by San Francisco

    Rotowire
    Brown was released by the 49ers on Thursday. After signing to San Francisco's 53-man roster Tuesday, Brown was let go two days later. The cornerback was snagged off of the Steelers' practice squad and it's unclear if he'll head back to Pittsburgh now.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Limited on Thursday

    Rotowire
    Fitzpatrick (chest) was limited in Thursday's practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports. Fitzpatrick was injured on the same play he took out the knee of Nick Chubb in Week 2's win over the Browns. After missing practice Wednesday, the limited session Thursday puts him on track to play Sunday night against the Raiders.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Steelers' Elandon Roberts: Not on injury report

    Rotowire
    Roberts (neck) was not on the Steelers' injury report Wednesday, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports. Roberts suffered a neck stinger in the team's 26-22 win over the Browns on Monday night, but he appears ready to go ahead of Pittsburgh's Week 3 matchup with the Raiders on Sunday night. The linebacker has recorded 10 tackles over his first two contests with the Steelers.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Steelers' Larry Ogunjobi: Misses practice Wednesday

    Rotowire
    Ogunjobi (foot) was a non-participant at the Steelers' practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official website reports. Ogunjobi was on the sidelines Wednesday with the foot injury he's been nursing since the beginning of the season, though he has played in both of Pittsburgh's contests this year. Considering he's been active each week, the defensive lineman seems likely to be able to go again Week 3 versus the Raiders.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Unavailable for practice

    Rotowire
    Fitzpatrick (chest) was a non-participant at the Steelers' practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official website reports. Fitzpatrick missed Wednesday's practice session as he continues to recover from the chest injury he suffered in Monday night's 26-22 win over the Browns. The safety went down with the injury in the third quarter and underwent scans at the hospital prior to being discharged. The safety's status at practice the rest of the week will likely dictate his chances to play Sunday in Las Vegas.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Steelers' Breiden Fehoko: Joins Steelers' active squad

    Rotowire
    Pittsburgh signed Fehoko from its practice squad to the active roster Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. For the second time this year, Fehoko has signed a deal to be a part of the Steelers' organization in some capacity. With six-time Pro Bowler Cameron Heyward (groin) recently having been placed on injured reserve, it makes sense for Pittsburgh to try to add some talent to its defensive line.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • 49ers' Anthony Brown: Bay Area bound

    Rotowire
    Brown signed with the 49ers' 53-man roster Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Brown was signed off Pittsburgh's practice squad in response to cornerbacks Samuel Womack (knee) and Ambry Thomas (knee) suffering injuries over the past two weeks. The 29-year-old has appeared in 94 games throughout his seven years in the league, tallying 324 tackles, 59 pass deflections and nine interceptions. Expect Brown to play a depth role in a depleted San Francisco secondary going forward.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Steelers' Elandon Roberts: Suffers stinger

    Rotowire
    Roberts suffered a neck stinger during Monday's 26-22 win over the Browns, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports. Roberts recorded two tackles before exiting with the injury and his status for Week 3 against the Raiders will likely remain up in the air throughout the week. If he's unable to play, Mark Robinson would likely step into the primary reserve role at inside linebacker.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Steelers' Alex Highsmith: Productive in win

    Rotowire
    Highsmith tallied seven tackles (five solo), a sack, a forced fumble and returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown Monday in the Steelers' 26-22 win over the Browns. Highsmith racked up seven tackles for a second consecutive week, and he also forced two turnovers during Monday's primetime win, including a strip sack in the fourth quarter that resulted in the go-ahead touchdown on T.J. Watt's scoop and score. The edge rusher saw a slight decline in tackles last season while also recording a career-high 14.5 sacks, and he's remained a productive member of Pittsburgh's defensive unit early in 2023.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Steelers' Cole Holcomb: Racks up eight tackles

    Rotowire
    Holcomb logged eight tackles (three solo) and a forced fumble during the Steelers' 26-22 win over the Browns on Monday. Holcomb was on the field for 90 percent of Pittsburgh's defensive snaps Monday and finished second on the team in tackles while also forcing a fumble for a second consecutive week. He had just two forced fumbles over his final three years in Washington but has gotten off to a hot start with his new team, logging 13 tackles (five solo) with two forced fumbles.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Steelers' T.J. Watt: Sets team record in win

    Rotowire
    Watt recorded four tackles (two solo), including one sack and two tackles for a loss, a pass defense and a fumble returned for a touchdown during the Steelers' 26-22 win over the Browns on Monday. The Steelers' defense stepped up during Monday's matchup, as they returned an interception for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, while Watt recovered a fumble and returned it 16 yards for the go-ahead score with just under seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. He also recorded a sack late in the first half to put him at 81.5 for his career, surpassing James Harrison for the Steelers' all-time record for sacks. Watt was limited to just 10 games in 2022 but has gotten off to a hot start this year, logging nine tackles (seven solo), including four sacks, two pass defenses, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown over the first two games of the season.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Released from local hospital

    Rotowire
    Fitzpatrick (chest) was released from the hospital Monday night and is believed to have avoided a severe injury, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Fitzpatrick's precautionary scans came back negative for what the Steelers believed was a chest contusion. The safety left Monday's win over Browns in the third quarter to be evaluated at a local hospital. Fitzpatrick's status will need to be monitored ahead of Week 3's matchup against the Raiders, but it at least appears that he may avoid missing significant time. If Fitzpatrick carries any limitations into Week 3, though, Elijah Riley will stand to handle an increased role on defense.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Out with chest injury

    Rotowire
    Fitzpatrick will not return to Monday's game against the Browns due to a chest injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN Fitzpatrick exited the game near the end of the third quarter. He had recorded six tackles (five solo) and two passes defended pror to leaving. In his absence, Elijah Riley will presumably replace him at free safety.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Steelers' Larry Ogunjobi: Good to go

    Rotowire
    Ogunjobi (foot) fully participated in Saturday's practice and will be available for Monday's matchup with the Browns, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports. Ogunjobi appeared to be trending in the wrong direction earlier in the week, but that was a false alarm. Barring any setbacks, he is in line to take on his usual role at defense end.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Steelers' Larry Ogunjobi: Trending wrong way

    Rotowire
    Ogunjobi (foot) did not participate at practice Friday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports. After logging a limited practice Thursday, Ogunjobi is headed in the wrong direction ahead of Pittsburgh's matchup versus the Browns in Week 2. If he is forced to sit out, it could mean additional snaps for rookie second-rounder Keeanu Benton.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Josiah Scott: Put on practice squad injured list

    Rotowire
    Scott (undisclosed) was placed on the Steelers' practice squad injured list Thursday, Teresa Varley of Pittsburgh's official website reports. Scott will be forced to miss at least four contests while he tends to an undisclosed injury. The cornerback, once healthy, will look to earn a shot with the active roster.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Steelers' DeMarvin Leal: Not on injury report Thursday

    Rotowire
    Leal (elbow) was not listed on Pittsburgh's injury report Thursday ahead of Monday's game versus the Browns, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports. After sustaining an elbow injury during Sunday's 30-7 loss versus San Francisco, Leal will apparently be at full strength for Week 2. His primary assignment Monday will be to slow down Nick Chubb and Cleveland's hard-nosed rushing attack.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Steelers' Cameron Heyward: Officially placed on IR

    Rotowire
    The Steelers placed Heyward (groin) on injured reserve Thursday. Heyward needs groin surgery after going down in Week 1. He'll be required to miss a minimum of four games, but it has already been reported that Heyward is likely to miss around eight weeks. We might not see him again until around Thanksgiving. It's obviously a crushing loss to the middle of Pittsburgh's interior defense and pass rush.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Steelers' Cameron Heyward: Will have surgery

    Rotowire
    Heyward will undergo surgery Thursday to repair the groin injury he suffered in a Week 1 loss to the 49ers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Heyward is expected to miss eight weeks, which would have him back on the field Nov. 12 for a tilt with the Packers. The Ohio State product has yet to be placed on injured reserve, but that would be a likely move for the Steelers. As a six-time Pro Bowler and the team's co-defensive captain, his impact will be missed on the field, and the team will likely turn to DeMarvin Leal (elbow) and Larry Ogunjobi to help replace his production.
    ... See More ... See Less

  • Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick: Four tackles in opener

    Rotowire
    Fitzpatrick compiled four tackles (three solo) in Sunday's 30-7 loss to the 49ers. Fitzpatrick didn't provide any game-changing plays and his four tackles left much to be desired, but he'll look to increase his production in Week 2 versus the Browns on Monday Night Football. The safety played all 66 defensive snaps in Week 1 and figures to be one of the best free safeties once again in 2023.
    ... See More ... See Less
Show more Fantasy news