Pittsburgh

Steelers

Williams has only played nine offensive snaps this year and was signed as a UDFA out of Indiana earlier this offseason. He’ll work on special teams for the Bengals and likely has no fantasy value barring further injuries to the Cincinnati wideout corps.

Smith scored the second of two rushing touchdowns by Pittsburgh tight ends, setting a new NFL record as the first team in history with two rushing scores by different tight ends in the same game. Leave it to Arthur Smith to be responsible for a record like that. Smith’s outing was otherwise far from noteworthy while playing in a four-man rotation at tight end for the Steelers, with all of Smith, Pat Freiermuth (three catches for 45 yards), Darnell Wshington (three catches for 25 yards), and Heyward (four carries for four yards and a touchdown) getting in on the action.

Metcalf’s modest target total was a product of a game environment in which the Steelers were really never pushed, with their defense holding the Dolphins to just three points through the first three quarters. He salvaged his fantasy outing by turning into a one-man wrecking ball in the third quarter, catching a pass over the middle of the field between two defenders before bouncing off one, stiff-arming another, and out-running two more on his way to the end zone. Metcalf has returned modest fantasy production in the low-volume Pittsburgh offense this season, potentially cratering his dynasty value moving forward. That said, he gets the pass-funnel Lions in Week 16.

Gainwell drew the start with Jaylen Warren battling an illness, although the two backs would share primary duties throughout. It was Gainwell that was the much more efficient back, gaining 126 total yards to the 48 yards of Warren on five more touches. The Pittsburgh backfield remains one of interest considering Arthur Smith is at the helm, with the biggest detractor being a typical timeshare between the top two options. Gainwell’s eruption in the first week of fantasy playoffs highlights the upside if one of the two sees more primary usage, making Warren’s status one to monitor in the coming week of practice.

Multiple records and milestones were reached in this one. First off, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith was full-on Arthur Smith-ing as the Steelers became the first team in NFL history with rushing scores by two different tight ends in the same game, the first scored by Connor Heyward on Pittsburgh’s version of the tush push from one yard out and the second a rushing score by former Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith for the revenge narrative. Second, the Steelers scored on four consecutive possessions for the first time since 2018 to break the game open in the third quarter. Third, their defense held the Dolphins to -20 total yards in the third quarter, the fewest for any team in a quarter since at least 2019. And finally, Rodgers moved into third in career games with two or more touchdown passes after connecting with Marquez Valdes-Scantling and DK Metcalf in the third quarter. Rodgers was not tasked with much while attempting only 27 passes due to the defensive battle and remains an uneasy start in fantasy circles in 2025.

Warren was a surprise addition to the team’s injury report earlier Monday but avoided inactivity after going through pre-game workouts. It remains to be seen if he will assume a normal workload, although fantasy managers are likely forced to start Warren with this the final game of Week 15. Inactive for the Steelers are WR Roman Wilson, QB Will Howard, OL Andrus Peat, DT Brodric Martin-Rhodes, OLB T.J. Watt, and DT Derrick Harmon.

Players typically play through any illness-related issues, but Warren’s addition to the injury report just hours before kickoff is concerning. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports Warren “woke up sick and is getting fluids” and that he is “optimistic” about playing on Monday night. His status will be one to watch for when inactives are announced 90 minutes before kickoff, but if he is unable to go, Kenneth Gainwell would be primed for a large role on Monday night against the Dolphins.

Austin popped up on the injury report Friday with a calf injury that caused him to be limited in practice. The 26-year-old receiver was back to a full participant in practice Saturday and enters the matchup with the Dolphins without an injury designation. Austin isn’t worth rostering in most fantasy leagues with new additions Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen passing him on the depth chart.

Washington practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday and Friday. The 24-year-old tight end cleared concussion protocol Sunday morning and is set to play against the Dolphins on Monday Night Football in Week 15. With all three of the Steelers’ tight ends available Monday, none of them will be fantasy viable.

That is unfortunate. One would hope to see Washington increase his participation every day, as he works his way through the NFL’s five-phase concussion protocol. It is possible he stalled out in the third phase. Hopefully, he upgrades to full tomorrow and can be on the field when his team faces the Dolphins on Monday night.