Wednesday links: Can the Steelers survive without DK Metcalf?

It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for a weekly Steelers links roundup at BTSC. But first, let’s take a look around the AFC North:

• Ravens-Packers injury report: Lamar Jackson absent, Jordan Love limited (Baltimore Beatdown)
• Myles Murphy continues his ascension as a key piece of the Bengals defense (Cincy Jungle)
• Browns make important Deshaun Watson decision (Dawgs by Nature)

What’s the latest on the Steelers’ upcoming opponent? (More from Dawgs by Nature):

• Cleveland Browns only have 2 Pro Bowlers this season, 3 rookie alternates (Dawgs by Nature)
• Daily Dawg Chow 12/23; Quinson Judkins injury bad, but could be worse (Dawgs by Nature)
• In a lost season, these 2 rookies continue to shine for the Browns (Dawgs by Nature)

Now, onto some Steelers news and discussion:

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin discusses T.J. Watt’s status ahead of Week 17

(From Steelers Wire’s Andrew Vasquez): “No new update on T.J.,” Tomlin said. “I’m sure he’s been in the building. But I’ll gain further information about his potential participation in the early portions of the week and where that might lead.”

When asked if Watt had recovered from the lung surgery and if his return to the field was more about getting back into football shape, Tomlin concluded that it was a “fair estimation.”

The Steelers continue to release as little information as possible regarding T.J. Watt’s punctured lung, although Tomlin mentioned Watt might be ready to speak to the media about it in the not-so-distant future. For now, optimism seems to be building that the star pass rusher will return at some point.

NFL won’t take action against fan in incident with Steelers’ Metcalf

(From Steelers Wire’s Andrew Vasquez): Following the decision to uphold Pittsburgh Steelers WR DK Metcalf’s two-game suspension, the NFL and the Detroit Lions will reportedly not take action against Ryan Kennedy, the fan involved in the altercation.

On Tuesday afternoon, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the league and the Lions would not pursue any measures against Kennedy, as “there was no violation of the fan code of conduct,” per his source.

By upholding Metcalf’s two-game suspension and not taking action against the fan who the receiver confronted, it seems the league is taking a clear stance on who was most at fault. Multiple theories and stories have sprung up around the incident, and the existing videos haven’t confirmed much.

Jets Put Former Steelers QB On IR, Ending His Season

(From SportsNet Pittsburgh’s Daniel Fisher): Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields won’t be seeing another snap for the Jets this season. New York’s head coach, Aaron Glenn announced on Tuesday that Fields will be placed on injured reserve because of a knee issue.

Fields started out the 2025 season hot in an offensive explosion against the Steelers in Week 1, but not much else has gone right for him since. The New York offense sputtered, he was benched, and now his season has ended with an injury. It’s fair to say this might be the end of the road for Fields as a starting NFL quarterback.

Star Pittsburgh Steelers running back goes down with injury 

(From PennLive’s Nick Farabaugh): Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has an injury that occurred during the team’s game against the Detroit Lions and he will be limited to start the week, head coach Mike Tomlin said. Tomlin, however, is optimistic that Warren will play against the Cleveland Browns.

Warren, who scored two 40-plus-yard touchdowns in Week 16, is expected to pop up on injury reports later this week. However, the good news for the Steelers is that Kenneth Gainwell has looked the part of a starting running back in recent weeks, and Tomlin still expects Warren to be able to suit up against Cleveland on Sunday.

Report: Steelers have “reaffirmed commitment” to DK Metcalf

(From Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio): Receiver DK Metcalf’s two-game suspension supplies the Steelers with an important contractual hammer. They reportedly won’t be swinging it.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that the Steelers “have already reaffirmed their commitment to Metcalf for 2026 and beyond.”

Metcalf reportedly lost out on $45 million in guarantees following his suspension, making it much easier for the Steelers to move on from his contract in 2026 or 2027. However, although vague, Tom Pelissero reported the team is committed to sticking with the veteran receiver.

Can the Steelers survive without DK Metcalf?

While Pittsburgh has apparently reaffirmed its longterm commitment to Metcalf, the team will be without him for the next two weeks. And unless the Ravens lose to the Packers on Saturday, the Steelers will need a win in one of those weeks.

Metcalf is without a doubt the most talented pass catcher on the Pittsburgh offense, but the passing game hasn’t exactly been siloed through him. In fact, it’s running back Kenneth Gainwell who leads the team in receptions with 62, and the Steelers currently have seven players with over 25 catches this season — not including the recently-signed Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who have become big parts of the offense over the last three weeks.

As a result, I think the Steelers will be able to move the ball without Metcalf. Where they’ll miss him the most is in the explosive plays he can provide to what is generally a short passing game — Metcalf’s 14.4 yards per catch are the most on the team of players with 25-plus catches. The Steelers will need speed threats such as Valdes-Scantling or Calvin Austin III to be able to stretch the field in his stead.

It’s also an opportunity for 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson, who has been a healthy scratch the last two weeks, to get back in the lineup.

However, it won’t be easy this week against the Cleveland Browns, who possess the NFL’s top-ranked passing defense. But on the flip side, attacking Cleveland through the ground game was always going to be the focus of the Week 17 gameplan.

The Steelers’ offense hasn’t always looked pretty in 2025. And without Metcalf, that will probably be the case once again. But the team still has what it takes to compete with the Browns and Ravens without him. Of course, there’s a chance those games don’t matter at all.

What are the Steelers’ chances without D.K. Metcalf? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!