Defensive lineman Yahya Black is officially playing for the Steelers in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts, a last-minute upgrade that caught everyone by surprise. Just hours before Sunday’s game, Black was listed as questionable with a personal designation, but the team gave him the all clear.
From Questionable to Game-Ready
This is straight-up good news for the Steelers, no doubt about it. According to Steelers Senior Director of Communications Burt Lauten, Black is no longer questionable and is expected to hit the field against the Colts. Lauten broke the news himself on X, putting an end to any speculation. It’s a quick turnaround for Black, whose “personal” designation was completely unknown, but hey, we’re just stoked he is back in uniform.
Black, a fifth-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, absolutely performed admirably in his rookie season, logging 17 games played and even snagging three starts. He proved he belonged. This year, in his second season, he’s already appeared in four games, taking 35% of the defensive snaps and 39% on special teams. That kind of versatility and presence is huge for any defense.
Mixed Bag for the Roster
While Black’s return is a definite win, it is not all sunshine and rainbows for the Steelers’ Week 5 roster. The team unfortunately moved a veteran wide receiver to injured reserve less than 24 hours before the Colts game. Losing a veteran presence like that is always a hit, especially right before kickoff. But getting Black back on the defensive line? That is a critical boost when you need it most.
The Steelers roll into Week 5 against the Colts with Black back on the field, even with a veteran wide receiver sidelined. It is a game where every defensive snap will matter, and having Black’s presence could be huge in slowing down the Colts’ offense. We will see how much he impacts the game, but his availability is a big sigh of relief.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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