HEADLINES

Pittsburgh Steelers News & Rumors

Steelers’ Derrick Harmon To Miss Time; IR Move Not Expected

August 22nd, 2025 at 5:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

5:54pm: It looks like the Steelers will carry Harmon on their 53-man roster to open the season. Because Harmon is expected to be healthy at some point during the season’s first four weeks, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac notes the team is unlikely to use an IR-return spot here.

3:23pm: The knee injury Derrick Harmon sustained Thursday night will force him to miss regular-season time. The Steelers’ first-round pick suffered an MCL sprain, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports.

This injury can produce varying timetables, but Rapoport notes the expectation is the Steelers rookie misses around a month. That would make him a candidate for one of Pittsburgh’s two IR-return spots next week; such a move would mandate a four-game absence from the No. 21 overall pick.

Mike Tomlin said last night (via Bleacher Report’s James Palmer) Harmon suffered a “knee sprain of some description,” foreshadowing this diagnosis. This certainly could have been worse for the Steelers, as Harmon was carted off the field during the team’s preseason finale. But the Steelers will not have the Oregon product in Week 1 and most likely for longer than that.

If the Steelers stash Harmon on IR, they would save a roster spot next week. Harmon being placed on IR early would have him immediately count as one of Pittsburgh’s eight regular-season injury activations. The Steelers could also go week to week here, keeping Harmon on the active roster in the event Harmon is ready to return before Week 5, but that would mean carrying an injured player for multiple weeks to open the season.

It would make sense for the Steelers to proceed with a Harmon IR placement Tuesday since he will be healthy enough to play early in the season. The team would understandably want to make sure the interior D-lineman is healthy before debuting, and this would add a healthy player in his place during that recovery.

This offseason brought more Cameron Heyward contract drama, as the likely Hall of Fame-bound defensive tackle pushed for a raise via a short-lived hold-in. Despite being willing to miss games to make his point, Heyward returned to practice ahead of Pittsburgh’s preseason game. No Harmon early would mean the Steelers will be forced to count on Heyward once again, which could be interesting regarding his pursuit of a raise. Harmon is in place as a Heyward heir apparent of sorts, but this season will feature the two lining up together on Pittsburgh’s D-line. The team will need to wait a bit for that happens.

NFL Minor Transactions: 8/20/25

August 20th, 2025 at 9:58pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s midweek minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Reverted to IR: T Gareth Warren
  • Waived (with injury settlement): LB Devin Harper

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Commanders

Waller will now be able to officially return to the field today as he attempts to shake off a year’s worth of retirement. Head coach Mike McDaniel expects him back at practice “very soon,” potentially even this week, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

The Bears have landed the services of the veteran Freeman as they deal with absences from D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Kyle Monangai, and Travis Homer. Hankins had gotten the starting nod in the team’s last preseason game for that same reason, and he’ll now hand off that role to Freeman.

Ferguson, the Dolphins’ former long snapper of the past five years, finally gets a job after his release from Miami. The Texans were really liking what they were seeing out of undrafted rookie Austin Brinkman, but a minor, short-team injury will keep him from the team’s final preseason game, requiring at least a short stay from Ferguson.

NFL Minor Transactions: 8/19/25

August 19th, 2025 at 8:47pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

  • Reverted to IR: DL Keith Randolph

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Ameer Abdullah landed on IR earlier this month with a rib injury, but he’ll now have an opportunity to play in 2025 following his release. The veteran is coming off one of the most productive seasons of his career in 2024, when he compiled 572 yards from scrimmage in 16 games (three starts) with the Raiders. The 49ers filled his spot on the roster by signing veteran Jeff Wilson.

Equanimeous St. Brown will also have a chance to play in 2025, as the WR was previously ruled out with a foot injury. The veteran wideout only has five catches over the past two seasons.

Bengals, Seahawks To Host Veteran G Dalton Risner; Steelers Also An Option

August 19th, 2025 at 5:45pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

TODAY, 5:45pm: Risner had a strong workout for the Bengals but didn’t land a contract, according to Schultz. However, the two sides are expected to “stay in touch,” so perhaps the veteran could be a target for the organization down the road.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Risner is set to meet with the Seahawks. The Steelers are also an option for the veteran offensive lineman. Per Fowler, the player is determined to take all of these visits before settling on a final decision.

MONDAY, 9:30pm: Veteran offensive guard Dalton Risner is set to visit the Bengals on Tuesday, according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.

Risner named the Bengals as one of his potential landing spots back in April. Months later, he will go to Cincinnati with the hopes of signing with his third NFL team. The 30-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Vikings and started 19 games amid their offensive line injuries.

Risner has been a starter for his entire six-year career, but he has struggled to garner commensurate interest as a free agent. He first hit the open market in 2023 as a four-year starter for the Broncos, but he didn’t sign in Minnesota until September. The Vikings re-signed him in May last offseason, but Risner has once again remained available deep into the preseason this year.

In Cincinnati, Risner can compete for a starting job at either guard spot. The Bengals’ current first-team guards, Lucas Patrick and Dylan Fairchild, were both acquired this offseason and have an early edge on 2024 holdovers Cordell Volson and Cody Ford. Patrick, an eight-year veteran, started 26 games for the Saints over the last two years, while Fairchild’s exploits as the University of Georgia’s left guard made him a third-round pick in April’s draft.

A poor showing from the Bengals’ offensive line on Monday night may give Risner some more leverage when negotiating a potential deal. Cincinnati has been looking to add interior OL depth, per Schultz, and Risner’s strong pedigree as a pass protector may be especially appealing in front of Joe Burrow.

Beanie Bishop, Robert Woods On Steelers’ Roster Bubble

August 19th, 2025 at 4:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Last season, the Steelers turned to a rookie UDFA as their primary slot cornerback. After some notable additions this offseason, Beanie Bishop is not expected to start again. He is also no longer assured of a roster spot.

Steelers DC Teryl Austin said (via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Chris Adamski) Bishop needs a standout finish to the preseason to “put himself back in the picture.” Being cut before Year 2 would be a quick fall for Bishop, who logged 548 defensive snaps as a rookie.

While Bishop lost his status as a defensive regular during the season’s final month, he logged at least 20 defensive snaps in 13 of Pittsburgh’s 17 games in 2024. Bishop intercepted four passes and broke up seven more as a rookie; Pro Football Focus graded him in the bottom half at the position, ranking the 5-foot-9 cover man 95th at the position.

The Steelers made a blockbuster trade for Jalen Ramsey, unloading Minkah Fitzpatrick to acquire the versatile cover man. They had already added Darius Slay and Brandin Echols. The latter has spent most of his career on the boundary but did log 112 slot snaps in 2023. Ramsey has been one of this era’s top perimeter corners, but he has garnered increased slot usage over the past five years. Ramsey has played at least 169 slot snaps in four of the past five seasons, being regularly used at the Rams’ “star” position. A configuration in which Ramsey plays inside while Slay and Joey Porter Jr. work near the boundary makes sense for the Steelers.

Bishop has primarily lined up with the Steelers’ second-team defense during training camp, Adamski adds. Seventh-round pick Donte Kent also factors into the Steelers’ Bishop decision, with the competition for spots fiercer than it was at this time last year — when Cameron Sutton was facing an eight-game suspension to open the season.

The team also has some decisions to make at wide receiver. The Steelers have faced consistent questions about their post-George Pickens plan opposite D.K. Metcalf, but they have hosted Gabe Davis on two visits now — the second coming today. The team also has Roman Wilson back after a lost rookie season, and The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo notes Scotty Miller — an Arthur Smith charge in Atlanta — has been one of Aaron Rodgers‘ favorite targets during camp. These developments move Robert Woods toward Pittsburgh’s roster bubble, DeFabo adds.

Despite Woods’ accomplishments during a 12-year career, he played deep into the fourth quarter in the Steelers’ second preseason game. The Steelers gave Woods (20 catches, 203 yards last season) a one-year, $2MM deal but only guaranteed him $745K, lessening the dead money blow in the event he is cut by the August 26 deadline.

Calvin Austin is set to reprise his role as a starter, while the team also has Ben Skowronek rostered. Woods, 33, could become a practice squad stash, but it may not be a lock the former Bills, Rams, Titans and Texans wideout plays a 13th season. Conversely, DeFabo adds it would surprise if Miller (five receptions, 69 yards in 2024) did not make the roster.

WR Gabe Davis Expected To Visit Bills

August 19th, 2025 at 8:43am CST by Adam La Rose

The news of Gabe Davis lining up a second free agent visit with the Steelers pointed to a Pittsburgh agreement being highly likely. At least one other team is set to host the veteran wideout, however.

The Bills are expected to bring Davis in for a visit this week, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. Any deal worked out in the wake of that meeting would constitute a reunion between team and player. Davis’ first four seasons in the league came with Buffalo.

While playing out his rookie contract, the former fourth-round pick served as a key member of the Bills’ passing attack. Davis scored seven touchdowns in each of the 2022 and ’23 seasons, averaging 16.7 yards per reception during his tenure with the team. While his catch percentage (54.5%) across that span certainly left something to be desired, the 26-year-old was among the top wideouts in last year’s free agent class.

Davis landed a three-year, $39MM Jaguars pact on the open market as he expectedly departed Buffalo. Things did not go according to plan in Jacksonville, however, with the UCF product ultimately being released after one campaign with the team. The Steelers showed interest with a visit in June, using that opportunity to evaluate Davis’ injured knee. To no surprise, a medical follow-up is in store for his second visit, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes.

The Bills’ most lucrative free agent addition this offseason was receiver Josh Palmer. The former Charger is set to join returnees Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman as the top options in Buffalo’s passing game in 2025. A reunion with Davis would see him take on at least a rotational role, and as a familiar face to head coach Sean McDermott and offensive coordinator Joe Brady a quick acclimation period late in the summer would be expected in the event of a deal.

Buffalo entered Tuesday at the bottom of the league in terms of cap space with roughly $1.36MM in available funds. That figure will change once roster cuts take place, but for now the Bills trail the Steelers ($19.23MM) in spending power by a wide margin. Davis is on course for a much less lucrative pact than his last one in any event, but it will be interesting to see if finances play a part in determining his fate over the coming days.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/18/25

August 18th, 2025 at 9:00pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are the latest minor moves from around the NFL:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

  • Waived from IR with injury settlement: CB Ameer Speed

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: DL Devonte O’Malley, DB Jaylin Simpson
  • Waived: CB Garnett Hollis Jr.
  • Waived/injured: DL Keith Randolph

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

  • Signed: WR Phil Lutz
  • Waived/injured: DT Isaiah Iton

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Ojemudia is returning to the NFL after playing for the UFL’s DC Defenders in the spring, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. After starting 11 games for the Broncos as a rookie in 2020, he struggled with injuries and hasn’t played in the regular season since 2022.. The 27-year-old will add depth to a Cowboys cornerback room that isn’t expecting Trevon Diggs or Shavon Revel back until September. Second-year corner Caelen Carson is also dealing with a knee injury, so Ojemudia could get some snaps in Dallas’ last preseason game on Friday. A 53-man roster spot is unlikely given how late he signed with the team, but a strong first week could keep him in contention for the practice squad.

Winfree, a five-year veteran, will land with his fourth NFL team after a workout in Houston. The Texans also worked out former Chiefs wideout Cornell Powell, according to KRPC2’s Aaron Wilson.

Freeland, a 2023 fourth-round pick, started nine games as a rookie and spent 2024 as the Colts’ swing tackle. He will be out for the season with a fractured leg, per Colts.com writer JJ Stankevitz, as will Phillips (bicep), who hasn’t played in the regular season since 2022. Wohler sustained a Lisfranc injury, according to Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. The seventh-round safety will miss his rookie year after appearing to carve out a role in the Colts defense with an impressive preseason.

Steelers Sign LS Jake McQuaide; LS Christian Kuntz Could Miss Time

August 18th, 2025 at 3:18pm CST by Adam La Rose

Christian Kuntz exited the Steelers’ second preseason game due to injury. The veteran long snapper is now set to miss time.

Kuntz suffered an injury to his sternum on Saturday, and Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show reports it is believed to be broken. Provided that is indeed the case, Kuntz is set to miss regular season time. The 31-year-old has handled a full 17-game slate during each of his first four Steelers campaigns.

That is set to change in 2025 based on his recovery period, however. Kuntz could be a candidate to begin the season on injured reserve depending on his prognosis. An IR stint would require at least a four-game absence to begin the campaign. Any missed time will be felt on special teams for the Steelers given the former UDFA’s performances so far in his career.

When speaking to the media on Monday, head coach Mike Tomlin described Kuntz’s injury as being “short term” (h/t Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). That is certainly an encouraging update, though the possibility of missed time will remain depending on how the recovery process unfolds.

The Steelers announced on Monday that 14-year veteran Jake McQuaide has been signed. He will be tasked with replacing Kuntz for the time being. McQuiade has 197 regular season appearances to his name based on time spent with the Rams, Cowboys and Lions leading up to last season. In 2024, the two-time Pro Bowler played a total of seven games between the Vikings and Dolphins.

McQuaide’s Pro Bowl nods came during the 2016 and ’17 campaigns. A return to that form would come as a surprise, but the 37-year-old could offer stability to Pittsburgh as an injury fill-in as needed this season. It will be interesting to see how long Kuntz – under contract for another two years – is sidelined for and thus the length of time during which the Steelers will be without a key specialist.

Steelers, Gabe Davis Schedule Second Visit

August 18th, 2025 at 1:18pm CST by Adam La Rose

Gabe Davis has been on the Steelers’ radar for much of the offseason. No signing has come about yet, but that could change in the near future.

Davis is set to travel to Pittsburgh for a free agent visit tomorrow, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. That will mark the second time in which team and player have met in person. The first occurred in June, following Davis’ Jaguars release. Interest from other suitors has emerged, but the veteran wideout has remained unsigned well into the summer.

Early last month, it became clear Davis was still under consideration by the Steelers. The team has since acquired tight end Jonnu Smith via trade, adding a veteran pass-catcher to the mix. The receiver position has remained a talking point through the summer, though, with questions lingering about the depth behind fellow newcomer D.K. Metcalf. Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson are in line to handle key roles as things stand.

Austin is a pending free agent, and no talks on an extension have taken place to date. The 26-year-old could help his market value considerably with a strong year while handling the No. 2 receiver role and continuing to operating as a deep threat. Austin averaged 15.8 yards per reception last season, and he will look to remain an effective vertical threat while (potentially) taking on an increased workload in 2025.

That could of course change if Davis were to enter the mix. The former Bill joined Jacksonville in free agency last year, but a meniscus tear limited him to 10 games and career lows in production. Like other members of the Jags’ skill-position group, Davis was cut by the team’s new regime in the spring. A much less lucrative pact than the $13MM-per-year accord he signed in 2024 will be in store.

Today’s development further suggests that next deal will come from the Steelers. Pittsburgh has over $19MM in cap space, so finances will not be an issue if Davis’ results in an offer.

Teams Looking Into WR Odell Beckham Jr.

August 14th, 2025 at 12:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

AUGUST 14: During an appearance on the Club Random podcast (video link), Beckham revealed he and Aaron Rodgers have spoken about a potential Steelers deal. Nothing is imminent on that front, although Pittsburgh has loomed as a potential suitor for a veteran receiver addition this offseason. Beckham would fit the bill, but it remains to be seen if any agreement will be reached.

AUGUST 13: Although Odell Beckham Jr. has enjoyed stretches that reminded of the stratospheric pace he was on early in his Giants tenure, the former superstar was never able to sustain that level. Injuries have played the lead role in that line of demarcation forming, and the wide receiver’s post-prime form has set in since he returned from a Super Bowl LVI ACL tear.

That tear was Beckham’s second since October 2020, and his comebacks with the Ravens and Dolphins did not closely remind of his prime work. Beckham did not finish the season with Miami last year, being cut in December and clearing waivers. While the 32-year-old pass catcher is near the end of a memorable career, he is not ready to hang up his cleats.

The 2014 first-round pick intends to play in 2025, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, who notes “several” teams have shown interest. Considering we are in mid-August and Beckham buzz did not exactly flood NFL news cycles during the primary free agency period, it is safe to assume no one is aggressively pursuing the three-time Pro Bowler. But needs for supporting-cast talent or injuries at the position could lead OBJ back to a roster. He joins Amari Cooper as accomplished unsigned wideouts, after Keenan Allen reunited with the Chargers last week.

The Dolphins had Beckham on a one-year, $3MM deal last season — after signing him in May 2024 — but saw more injury trouble impact him. Offseason knee surgery delayed Beckham’s Miami debut by four weeks, as the Dolphins did not disclose the issue during the summer — as OBJ practice absences piled up without clear explanations. Upon being activated, Beckham caught just nine passes for 55 yards. Signed to be Miami’s No. 3 wideout alongside Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Beckham never played more than 20 offensive snaps in a Dolphins game. The team waived him after nine games.

Beckham’s Ravens stint brought much more notable work; he caught 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns. The Ravens did not re-sign him, however, opting to give the now-twice-extended Rashod Bateman more work in 2024. Beckham’s second-quarter injury in the Rams’ Super Bowl win kept him out for the 2022 season, as no deal — despite endless Cowboys connections — came to pass. He still fetched a $15MM full guarantee from the Ravens in 2023. Any Beckham deal now would be at or near the veteran minimum, given his injury trouble and minimal Dolphins production. OBJ would probably also need to work out for a team to display full health.

Certainly one of the most talented receivers of his era, Beckham showed tremendous promise early and has five 1,000-yard seasons on his resume (none since 2019). If he does not play another down, he will sit just outside the top 100 in receiving TDs (59) while ranking 118th in receiving yards (7,987). He is attempting what could amount to a final salvo to update those marks before calling it quits.

Load More Posts