D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. are officially on the comeback trail for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that’s the kind of news that makes you exhale a massive sigh of relief. Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed they won’t be back on the field this week, but the vibe inside the building, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, is that there’s zero concern about these injuries. This isn’t some deep, season-threatening issue, it’s all about precaution. Thank goodness.
The Offense’s Heartbeat Is Just Fine
Look, we all know how absolutely vital Metcalf and Pittman Jr. are to the Steelers’ offensive success. These aren’t just any two guys; they’re the engine that makes that passing game go. Losing either of them for any significant time would be a massive blow, so hearing that the team is taking things slow and being wise with their return is exactly what you want to hear. Rapoport’s intel that there’s “no concern” from inside the facility is gold. It means what we thought: they’ve dodged a major bullet here, and that’s fantastic for Pittsburgh. Getting them back on the field to build that crucial rapport is still important, but the big picture, long-term health is clearly the priority.
Around the League’s Preseason Chatter
While the focus is rightly on those two dynamic receivers, there’s been plenty of other noise coming out of camps. Over in Pittsburgh, there’s a surprising take from one NFL analyst who believes Drew Allar won’t even get a chance to start for the Steelers. That’s a bold prediction, especially after hearing Allar’s performance was one of the “5 things learned at Steelers camp.” Rookie Max Iheanachor, unfortunately, will miss the next preseason game, so we’re all hoping he can get some run in the final tune-up. And hey, remember Najee Harris? Your old friend is now rocking a Giants uniform after signing there. It sparks some wild “what if” talk about JuJu Smith-Schuster being released to make room for him years ago. Across the league, the Bills made a solid move signing Greg Gaines for reinforcements, while the Saints are dealing with some trouble. Alvin Kamara is set to miss a month, a tough break for them during this preseason grind, and their joint practice with the Cowboys even saw multiple brawls. Talk about getting testy!
What’s Next for the Black & Gold
The immediate focus for the Steelers has to be getting Metcalf and Pittman Jr. integrated back into the offense smoothly, even if it means taking a little longer. Their health is paramount. With another preseason game on the horizon, we’ll be watching to see if Iheanachor can get some valuable reps and how the rest of the depth chart shapes up, especially after that second unofficial release. Pittsburgh needs their star receivers fully healthy when the real games kick off, and it sounds like they’re well on their way.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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