Rodgers plans to ‘keep feeding’ DK Metcalf

This was not the game many expected against a beleaguered Colts defense. Two of Metcalf’s three catches were on screens behind the line of scrimmage, and he was only targeted 10 yards down the field once. Aaron Rodgers is not having much success throwing the ball deep down the field, which means Metcalf is likely going to be a touchdown-dependent WR3 in fantasy next week against the Bucs.

Metcalf managed just three receptions through the first three-plus quarters of play before making two grabs for 50 yards on the team’s penultimate possession, eventually resulting in a tie game with under two minutes to play following a successful two-point conversion. Even though this marks the third game in four tries with nine or more targets, Week 4 was the first game with more than 40 yards for Metcalf as he works to strengthen his connection with Rodgers in a downfield role. In fact, Metcalf more than doubled his year-to-date yardage total from the previous three games against two of the better coverage corners in the league. The individual matchup doesn’t get much easier ahead of a Week 5 meeting with the Colts, who boast another top corner duo in Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward. Metcalf remains a wide range of outcomes weekly WR3.

Metcalf has yet to crack 40 yards in a game this season, but he did manage to find the end zone for a six-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. The big plays have not been there for Metcalf thus far, who has a long catch of 16 yards. Metcalf will be on the WR3/WR4 radar for next week’s game against the Browns.

Metcalf had an inefficient day, finishing fifth on the Steelers in yards despite leading the team in targets. He was unable to get open downfield and Aaron Rodgers’ struggles made many intermediate targets fell incomplete. Metcalf dropped a critical third-down pass in the third quarter, continuing his drop issues from last week. A second straight inefficient week despite a high volume of targets makes Metcalf a rough fantasy play moving forward. Despite Michael Pittman’s absence, the fantasy points are just not consistent for Metcalf in the Steelers passing game. He will be a low-end fantasy WR3 for Week 3 against the Bengals.

Pittman did not practice at all this week. If he plays, he could be fairly limited. We tentatively expect him to be inactive on game day, though. Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth had a solid role last week and could take on No. 2 pass-catcher duties if Pittman indeed cannot play. Steelers WR DK Metcalf will almost assuredly take on a larger role, operating as the team’s receiving focal point.

It could have been a much bigger day for Metcalf, who dropped an easy 20-yard catch over the middle of the field and also a potential long touchdown pass. The touchdown pass would have been a difficult grab in tight coverage, but it did hit him in the hands. Metcalf ran a route on every dropback for the Steelers, but Aaron Rodgers continued to show that he’s far more comfortable over the middle of the field than deep down the field at this point in his career. That will continue to make Metcalf a TD-dependent option in fantasy.

This was always though to be the case, with the team’s decision to keep only six receivers through cuts Sunday seemingly backing that notion up. Pryor adds that the teams is expected to “ease in” both Metcalf and Pittman, but it certainly sounds as if each receiver will be on the field in less than two weeks for Week 1.

It’s a simple restructure, converting base salary into a signing bonus. Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the move creates nearly $18 million in cap space for Pittsburgh. The transaction could be an indication that the Steelers need cap space for another move, but it’s much more likely that the team simply wants flexibility down the road. Metcalf remains signed through the 2029 season.

Metcalf hasn’t practiced since suffering an undisclosed injury on August 8th, but the veteran receiver said last week that he expects to be ready for Week 1 against the Falcons. The Steelers saw several key players return to Monday’s practice, along with WR Michael Pittman, who had also been sidelined with an undisclosed injury since August 8th.

Metcalf chose not to reveal details on the injury that has kept him sidelined for a week and a half. He simply said there are no long-term concerns, and he expects to be good to go for the season opener. Hopefully, he begins ramping up before long. Metcalf is a borderline WR3/FLEX, competing for the team’s top wide receiver role with WR Michael Pittman this year.