Steelers Rule Out Michael Pittman Jr. Against Patriots

The Pittsburgh Steelers have downgraded WR Michael Pittman Jr. to out against the New England Patriots, per Steelers communications director Burt Lauten on X.

The #Steelers have downgraded WR Michael Pittman Jr. to OUT for Sunday’s game with a foot injury.

— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) September 19, 2026

Pittman started out the week limited on Wednesday and did not practice Thursday or Friday. He officially finished the week questionable, but is now out for the Steelers’ Week 2 game.

The Steelers traded for Pittman over the offseason to solve their longstanding WR2 issue, and the early returns were positive. Despite missing most of training camp with an injury, he caught three passes for 58 yards against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1. Two of those three receptions were explosive plays.

Pittman has been remarkably durable throughout his previous six years in the NFL, appearing in all but six possible regular season games. He’s undoubtedly fought through a variety of injuries over that time, which raises questions about the potential severity of his current foot issue. If it were that bad, the Steelers likely would have ruled him out immediately rather than listing him questionable.

With Pittman out, rookie WR Germie Bernard is likely to see more playing time. Bernard, the Steelers’ second-round pick in April, only played three snaps on offense in his Week 1 regular season debut. He caught five passes for 64 yards and a touchdown in the preseason, including 46 after the catch and four missed tackles forced.

Roman Wilson will also see a bigger role, though he played 37 snaps a week ago. Other receivers that could receive more snaps as a result of this move are Ben Skowronek, Kaden Wetjen, or even a practice squad elevation yet to be announced.

The Steelers could also opt to use more tight end sets and less 11 personnel for this game, though they would have had to install it that way early in the week.

While the Steelers are without their No. 2 WR, the Patriots are likely to be without CB Carlton Davis III, who missed practice all week with a neck injury and was officially listed questionable for Sunday’s game.