BrandonSmith

Oct 12

Michael Pittman Jr.

was placed on injured reserve this past week, while two wide receivers for Pittsburgh couldn’t finish this game. Pittsburgh has used DK Metcalf and Pittman as its primary receivers, with Roman Wilson joining in 11 personnel when healthy. The Steelers put wide receiver Pittman Jr. on injured reserve on Saturday. The Steelers activated wide receiver Brandon Smith from the practice squad for this game on Saturday. Rather than Wilson taking on a larger role without Pittman, Germie Bernard became the every-down receiver, filling Pittman’s place. Not only did Wilson not see a larger role, but he was also rotated out more frequently in 11 personnel. Wilson has made several big catches this season, but he was also benched two weeks ago after a drop. On the first three drives, Metcalf and Bernard each played 19 of 20 snaps, Wilson nine and Ben Skowronek five. However, Skowronek suffered a calf injury and missed the rest of the game. This left Wilson on the field more consistently for the next two drives. He played 20 of 33 snaps over the first five possessions, but then he endured a hand injury and missed the rest of the game. This left Smith as the third wide receiver for the rest of the afternoon. Bernard had a big performance, catching six passes for 80 yards. Regardless of the health of Wilson and Skowronek, Bernard should be among the top waiver-wire targets, as he should be a full-time starter for Pittsburgh over the next three weeks. If he plays well enough, he should keep a starting job over the rest of the season.

Mike DeFabo·Sep 13

“I’m extremely confident,” tight end Pat Freiermuth said. “Obviously, going into year two with him, you know what Aaron wants on certain checks and signals and stuff. It’s been a smooth process, honestly. I think a lot of guys are on the same page and playing faster than last year.” Splitting time with Jonnu Smith last year, Freiermuth saw a career-low 51 percent of the offensive snaps. Expect more “Muuuuuuth” chants at Acrisure Stadium this season. Freiermuth’s role in the offense is much clearer with Smith gone. During camp, Rodgers repeatedly looked for Freiermuth over the middle of the field and in two-minute situations. When Rodgers was blitzed in camp, Freiermuth was often the option on vertical routes up the seam. The tight end produced at a near-Pro Bowl level in 2022 (732 yards, 63 receptions). Bold prediction here: This could be the season Freiermuth gets a nod. “I just really love his versatility,” McCarthy said. “When you get on the field with him and Darnell, both have the ability to play on the line, off the ball. The option routes. Excellent inside route runners. … Pat gives us tremendous flexibility to play one-back and two-back schemes, because he can play the Y, the F, he can get into the backfield, he can play displaced as the No. 1 (outside WR).”