DK

Metcalf

According to Rapoport, Metcalf experienced stomach pain on the team flight and stayed the night in the hospital “out of an abundance of caution.” Given the brief stay and the fact he’s rejoining the team on Monday, we’ll assume this is a minor issue until we hear otherwise. With the Steelers playing on Monday Night Football in Week 15, Metcalf will have some extra time to rest up before his next game.

The Steelers finally pushed the ball downfield after a season full of constant check downs to everyone in the offense, including the big-bodied speedster Metcalf. Metcalf had a season high in air yards and receiving yards in this one, and came close to not one but two touchdowns from Aaron Rodgers. Metcalf took full advantage of single coverage against a Ravens secondary that was overmatched by Metcalf’s size-speed combination. Coming into Week 14, he had seen more than six targets just five times this year. If the Steelers continue being aggressive in Week 15 against Miami, Metcalf could push for top-15 status.

The winds were gusting up to 30 mph in this one, but Metcalf never really threatened to make a big play. His longest catch was on a 14-yard slant, and he was also the target of an overthrown pass that led to an interception. On the surface, Metcalf has a good matchup next week against the Ravens, but he has not topped 55 receiving yards in a game since Week 6 against the Browns, and has topped 40 receiving yards only once in the last five games. He’s a touchdown-dependent WR3 option at this point.

Metcalf took the day off on Wednesday before practicing fully from there on out. The Bills’ run defense is a fantasy-friendly unit and the cornerback corps is solid. Metcalf remains a borderline WR2/3, though, based on talent and target share. He will have QB Aaron Rodgers (wrist) back in the lineup this weekend as well.

Metcalf and Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers (wrist) both sat out practice on Wednesday. Metcalf’s inactivity was a tad surprising. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin initially told reporters that Metcalf would be “limited” early in the week. That is all in the rearview now. Metcalf’s full participation puts him on track to face the Bills this weekend. He is a borderline WR2/3.

Both Rodgers and Metcalf sat out on Wednesday. Their return to full participation puts them on track to play in Week 13 against the Bills. Opponents tend to attack the Bills’ soft run defense. Rodgers can be treated as a QB2. Metcalf is a borderline WR2/3.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said yesterday that Metcalf would be limited early in the week. Starting off with a Wednesday absence is less than ideal. Metcalf still has time to get right and suit up on Sunday against the Bills, but his participation in practice is worth watching. It would be great to see him practice fully on Friday.

Metcalf played a season-high 61 snaps against the Bears last week, so he didn’t appear to be especially limited by the ankle in-game. This will likely just be an injury the Steelers manage through his practice schedule with rather than something that threatens his Week 13 status, but we’ll keep an eye on it.

Metcalf’s 22 receiving yards were his third fewest as a Steeler, though he compensated with a six-yard score on a swing pass that went in the box score as a rush. Beyond that, there was even less than usual doing for the Steelers down the field with OC Arthur Smith keeping the governor on backup QB Mason Rudolph. Held under 50 yards in four straight games and under 60 in six straight, Metcalf is proving to be both low-floor and limited-ceiling in Pittsburgh. That shouldn’t be possible for someone with Metcalf’s big-play skill-set, but this is not an offense that wants to be explosive. That being said, the Steelers could be forced to jam him the ball as a Week 13 home underdog against the Bills.

The eight targets Metcalf saw in this one were good for the second-most in any game this season, but the results, unfortunately, remained the same. Metcalf’s biggest gain of the day came on a 17-yard reception on the Steelers’ opening drive, which helped setup a touchdown a few plays later, but his games continue to be forgettable in Pittsburgh’s offense. He remains a touchdown-dependent play and shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a WR4 in Week 12 against the Bears.