The Pittsburgh Steelers received one piece of good news and one late concern ahead of Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Wide receiver DK Metcalf has been removed from the injury report after dealing with an illness and is expected to play. Tight end Pat Freiermuth, however, was added to the report Saturday with a calf injury and is now officially questionable.
DK Metcalf Cleared to Play vs. Buccaneers
The Steelers announced Saturday that Metcalf no longer carries an injury designation.
Metcalf had missed Friday’s practice because of an illness and was initially listed as questionable, but Pittsburgh has now cleared him for Sunday’s game.
That is an important development for an offense already dealing with multiple injuries at wide receiver.
Pat Freiermuth Added to Injury Report
The concern now shifts to Freiermuth.
Reuters reported Saturday that Freiermuth was added to Pittsburgh’s injury report with a calf injury and is questionable against Tampa Bay.
Freiermuth has been one of the Steelers’ most productive pass-catchers through five games. He is tied with Metcalf and Jaylen Warren for the team lead with 19 receptions and leads Pittsburgh with four touchdown catches.
Losing him would remove one of the offense’s most reliable options in the middle of the field and red zone.
Why Freiermuth’s Status Matters
Pittsburgh is already shorthanded at receiver.
Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek have both been ruled out, leaving the Steelers thinner than usual behind Metcalf.
If Freiermuth cannot play, Robert Tonyan and Darnell Washington would be candidates for larger roles at tight end.
That would place even more responsibility on Metcalf, Warren and the remaining healthy targets to carry the passing game.
Steelers Have Other Injuries to Monitor
The full Week 6 injury report also lists several other Pittsburgh players with game designations.
Safety DeShon Elliott, Wilson and Skowronek are out. Keeanu Benton, Jamel Dean, Rico Dowdle and Jalen Ramsey are among the players listed as questionable.
The Steelers are 3-2 and trying to keep pace in a crowded AFC North.
Tampa Bay Is Banged Up Too
The Buccaneers also enter Sunday with significant absences.
Baker Mayfield has been ruled out with a thumb injury, which means rookie Jalon Daniels is expected to start again. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and receiver David Sills V are also out.
That makes health one of the defining storylines of the matchup.
What Comes Next?
Metcalf is cleared and expected to play.
Freiermuth is the player to watch.
His status may not be resolved until closer to kickoff, and his availability could significantly change how Pittsburgh structures its passing game against Tampa Bay.
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