DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman still not practicing

Pittman exited Saturday’s practice with an apparent leg injury and was not on the field for Monday’s session. Speaking with the media, head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Pittman was injured on Saturday but didn’t discuss how long he may be out. For now, we’ll assume this is something minor, but hopefully we’ll have more details to provide soon.

Pittman was seen talking to trainers after leaving the field. They were seemingly focused on his right leg. Pittman has a chance to lead the team in targets, operating as a short-to-intermediate threat while WR DK Metcalf frequently stretches the field. The Steelers have the day off on Sunday and are scheduled to resume practicing on Monday. If he’s back in action then, this is likely a non-issue.

The news comes from Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s office, and notes that “the fan did not appear to be injured, nor did he seek medical attention at the game.” Metcalf already served a two-game suspension issued by the league, and the Steelers did not void Metcalf’s financial guarantees, so there is no reason to expect further punishment from the NFL. The fan in question still has a $100 million civil suit against Metcalf, which remains ongoing, but we see no reason to believe that it will impact his fantasy stock negatively at this time.

Boston, who made a top-30 visit with the 49ers in late March, had 62 receptions for 881 receiving yards (14.2 yards per catch) and was tied for ninth in the FBS with 11 receiving touchdowns in his final collegiate season. Boston would make sense for the wideout-needy Steelers, who recently acquired Michael Pittman Jr. from the Colts. Alongside Pittman and DK Metcalf, Boston would create a big-bodied trio of receivers for Aaron Rodgers, who is expected to return for a second season under center for Pittsburgh. The Steelers hold the 21st pick in the 2026 draft.

This of course assumes Rodgers, 42, will return for another season under center for the Steelers, now coached by Rodgers’ former Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy. The Steelers acquired Pittman from the Colts on Monday. Rodgers, DeFabo said, “seems to prefer veterans who understand the nuances of route running, how to read coverages and what it takes to prepare for an opponent. Pittman, a solid possession receiver who slots in as a No. 2 behind [DK] Metcalf, checks a lot of those boxes.” Pittman, entering his age-29 season, last season had a career low yards after the catch per reception, reeling in 80 balls on 110 targets as Alec Pierce emerged as Indy’s No. 1 wideout. If the Steelers offense is pass heavy enough Pittman could hold some value in deeper PPR formats in 2026.

Aaron Rodgers’ new No. 2 receiver figures to fit in well in Mike McCarthy’s West Coast system. Because we’re expecting the Steelers to throw less in 2026 than the Colts did, Pittman Jr. probably profiles best as a WR4 going forward. It’s still a huge upgrade for the Steelers on a position where they were desperately trying to find bodies that Rodgers approved of towards the end of 2025. Adam Schefter reports the Steelers will sign Pittman Jr. to a three-year, $59 million extension as part of the trade. The $24 million cap savings for the Colts are the main benefit — it also helps solidify Alec Pierce as the team’s No. 1 receiver and elevates Josh Downs into a bigger role in 2026.

Pittman Jr’s return to the Colts seemed to hinge on Alec Pierce leaving in free agency. With that cap space now thoroughly allocated, it would not be a surprised if Pittman was traded or released in the coming hours or days. It should be noted Chris Ballard did not seem to give an inch on the idea of keeping Pittman when asked about it at the combine, but his cap hit will almost assuredly have to come down if he’s going to stay in Indianapolis.

Boyd predicts (but doesn’t report) that Pierce will leave in free agency, and projects a quick pivot that would include Michael Pittman staying with the team and the Colts chasing another receiver to replace Pierce outside. Shaheed does fit the need for speed even if he doesn’t exactly have the contested-catch ability that Pierce leads with. Shaheed has already been linked to the Commanders, Bills, and Raiders this offseason — though the Bills have since traded for DJ Moore.

Ballard would almost certainly have to restructure Pittman’s contract to retain both Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce. Entering his age-29 season, there was some beat writer smoke around the Colts parting ways with Pittman — it does seem like Ballard would rather hang on to him than not. If the Colts run back last year’s receiver room, Pittman will likely be on the WR3 line in 2026.

Pittman “basically admitted after the Colts’ regular-season finale that he might have played his last game for the franchise.” The franchise stalwart has a $29 million cap hit in 2026 and would free up $24 million for the Colts if he were cut. Entering his age-29 season, it’s possible that Pittman generates some low-end trade interest ahead of free agency if he’s willing to restructure his contract for other teams. It’s also possible the Colts simply cut him or restructure him and keep him.