Terry McLaurin (torn patellar) sadly done. Notable WRs who have already landed on season-ending IR or been on IR/return this season: * Terry McLaurin (knee) * Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) * Ricky Pearsall (knee) * Jayden Reed (neck) * Alec Pierce (heel) * De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) * Michael Pittman (foot) * Jayden Higgins (knee) * Romeo Doubs (shoulder) * Pat Bryant (ankle) * Jalen McMillan (knee) * Tyquan Thornton (ankle)

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NegativeInjuryOct 20, 2026NBC Sports Rotoworld

Pittman was limited on Wednesday before being seen using a scooter in the locker room after practice, revealing he had aggravated his foot injury. The Steelers placed him on injured reserve late in Week 5. Pittman's absence opens the door for additional opportunities behind DK Metcalf, a role that now appears to be on rookie Germie Bernard's shoulders following the multi-week injury suffered by Roman Wilson in Week 5.

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NegativeInjuryOct 20, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Pittman was limited on Wednesday before being seen using a scooter in the locker room after practice, revealing he aggravated his foot injury. The Steelers placed him on injured reserve late in Week 5. Pittman's absence opens the door for additional opportunities behind DK Metcalf, a role that now appears to be on rookie Germie Bernard's shoulders following the multi-week injury suffered by Roman Wilson in Week 5.

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NegativeInjuryOct 20, 2026FantasyPros Articles

Steelers wide receiver on injured reserve; absence is creating increased opportunity for rookie Germie Bernard in Pittsburgh offense.

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NegativeInjuryOct 20, 2026Fantasy Football Advice

Michael Pittman Jr. has struggled to stay healthy and did not perform impressively when active, creating uncertainty regarding his future snap share once he returns.

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NegativeInjuryOct 20, 2026Fantasy Life Articles

Colts WR is on injured reserve for at least two more weeks. His absence has allowed Germie Bernard to establish a full-time role. Pittman is a possession WR with similar route depth (6.9) to Bernard (6.0), but the Steelers may prefer Bernard's superior ability after the catch. Pittman's contract allows the Steelers to save $10M-$19M in cap space if they move on next season, creating uncertainty about his role upon return.

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NegativeInjuryOct 20, 2026FFin60

On IR, which opens up targets for Germie Bernard in the Steelers passing game.

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NegativeRoleOct 20, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Pittman would have been Stafford's top receiver in the hypothetical 2021 Colts scenario, serving as the primary target in Frank Reich's offense alongside Jonathan Taylor.

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NegativeInjuryOct 20, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Pittman Jr. is on injured reserve with a foot injury and unavailable until at least Week 10; this creates depth chart opportunity for Steelers receivers including Valdes-Scantling.

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PositiveUsageOct 19, 2026Dataroma

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Germie Bernard in his 3 games without Michael Pittman active this year, per @FantasyPtsData: + 1.96 yards per route run (*would be WR25 of 77 WRs) + 67.3 yards per game (*WR20) + 0.27 targets per route run (*t-WR14) + 9.3 targets per game (*WR8) + 12.4 half PPR FP/G (*WR18)

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NegativeDepth ChartOct 19, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

The source notes that Michael Pittman Jr. was traded away by the Colts as part of Chris Ballard's cost-cutting measures to offset a swelling salary cap. Pittman's departure reflects the Colts' shift from Ballard's early philosophy of drafting, developing, and re-signing players to a more desperate, high-risk approach.

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NegativeInjuryOct 19, 2026FantasyPros Articles

Pittman Jr. is injured, which has thrust Germie Bernard into a substantial role for the Steelers.

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NegativeInjuryOct 19, 2026Yahoo Fantasy Football

Pittman Jr. (WR, PIT) is on injured reserve with a foot injury.

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NegativeInjuryOct 19, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Steelers WR on injured reserve with foot injury.

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NegativeInjuryOct 19, 2026Yahoo Fantasy Football

The source lists Michael Pittman Jr. on injured reserve with a foot injury.

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