NFL Player News

Washington wasn't targeted during Sunday's 35-25 loss to the Packers.

Although Washington ranked second among the Steelers' tight ends by playing 46 percent of the team's offensive snaps, he went without a target for the first time since Week 3. Washington had a slightly encouraging role in his two appearances after the Week 5 bye, securing six of 10 targets for 68 yards and a touchdown during that time, but Sunday's performance against the Packers marked the third time that he's been held without a target over his first seven appearances of the season, making him difficult to trust in fantasy.

Mitchell failed to haul in his lone target while playing nine of the Colts' 53 snaps on offense in Sunday's 38-14 win over the Titans.

Since making a much-publicized mental error in Week 4 when he erased a would-be 76-yard receiving touchdown by dropping the ball prior to crossing the goal line in the third quarter of a loss to the Rams, Mitchell has seen his playing time get cut significantly. The return of Alec Pierce from a two-game absence was a contributing factor, but Mitchell has also been bypassed for the No. 4 spot on the depth chart at receiver by Ashton Dulin, who has out-snapped Mitchell in three of the past four weeks. With all of Indianapolis' key receivers back to full health, Mitchell doesn't appear likely to get another chance at logging extensive playing time anytime soon.

Smith secured two of three targets for 17 yards during Sunday's 35-25 loss to the Packers.

Although Smith led the Steelers' tight ends in playing time by taking the field for 60 percent of the team's offensive snaps, he had yet another disappointing performance as a pass catcher. The 2017 third-rounder has been held under 30 receiving yards in each of his first seven appearances of the season. In total, he's secured 22 of 29 targets for 134 yards and two touchdowns, putting him well off the pace of his career-best season with the Dolphins last year in which he secured 88 of 111 targets for 884 yards and eight touchdowns.

Metchie wasn't targeted a single time in Sunday's 38-20 win over the Giants.

Metchie did at least see the field for nine offensive snaps after going completely unused the week prior, but his role remains very minor. He's been targeted just four times all season.

Cross recorded three total tackles (two solo) in Sunday's 38-14 win over the Titans.

Cross' three stops during Sunday's win marked his lowest total of the season. He also played just 80 percent of Indianapolis' defensive snaps, but that's likely a result of the second-half blowout. Through the team's first eight games this season, Cross has tallied 56 total tackles, including 1.5 sacks, and three passes defended, with one interception. He'll look to return to his usual tackling form in the Week 9 matchup against the Steelers.

Austin secured four of six targets for 28 yards during Sunday's 35-25 loss to the Packers.

Austin missed Pittsburgh's last two games due to a shoulder injury, but he played 78 percent of the team's offensive snaps in his return to the field Sunday, which ranked second among the team's wide receivers. However, DK Metcalf and Roman Wilson accounted for most of the Steelers' receiving yards Sunday, while Austin was held under 30 yards for the third time in his last four appearances. Austin has secured 14 of 23 targets for 167 yards and two touchdowns over his first five outings in 2025.

Alie-Cox didn't draw a target while playing 16 of the Colts' 53 snaps on offense in Sunday's 38-14 win over the Titans.

The big-bodied Alie-Cox has taken the field for at least 30 percent of the offensive snaps in each of the Colts' first eight games, but he continues to be utilized mainly as a blocker while standout rookie Tyler Warren functions as the top pass-catching option at the position. With four receptions for 50 yards on six targets this season, Alie-Cox isn't a total non-entity in the passing game, but he's not earning enough volume to put himself on the fantasy radar.

Johnson didn't take the field in Sunday's 35-25 loss to the Packers.

Johnson's lack of usage continued during Sunday's primetime matchup, as he was held off the field for a second consecutive matchup. The rookie entered the season with intriguing potential, but Jaylen Warren has continued to operate as Pittsburgh's primary running back in 2025, while Kenneth Gainwell has consistently served as the No. 2 option. Johnson has appeared in just four games, rushing 14 times for 36 yards while failing to secure his lone target.

Wiggins recorded seven total tackles (six solo) and an interception in Sunday's 30-16 win over the Bears.

The second-year pro from Clemson made a huge impact during Sunday's win, setting a new personal best with seven total tackles. Additionally, he picked off Caleb Williams in the fourth quarter to help secure Baltimore's first win since Week 2. Wiggins is starting to emerge as one of the league's premier outside cornerbacks, recording 26 total tackles and five passes defended, including two interceptions, through seven games this season. He's expected to continue causing problems for opposing quarterbacks in the Week 9 matchup against the Dolphins.

Gainwell rushed five times for 31 yards while securing both of his targets for four yards during Sunday's 35-25 loss to Green Bay.

Gainwell was the lone backup running back to take the field for the Steelers, as Kaleb Johnson didn't see any playing time in the primetime loss. Gainwell played 38 percent of the team's offensive snaps and was relatively efficient on the ground, but he didn't have enough volume to provide much fantasy value. While Gainwell has consistently outpaced Johnson's snap count over the first half of the season, Jaylen Warren has operated as the Steelers' clear lead back, making Gainwell an unreliable fantasy option.