Mike McCarthy Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike McCarthy Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers decided to place wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. on injured reserve Saturday. With that move, the team made a slew of other roster tweaks a day prior to facing the Indianapolis Colts.
In addition to placing Pittman on injured reserve, the Steelers announced signing defensive back Doneiko Slaughter back to their active roster. The Steelers also elevated running back Lew Nichols and wide receiver Brandon Smith from the practice squad for Week 5.
Smith will temporarily help the Steelers replace Pittman, who will miss the next four games on IR. Smith and Nichols will each return to the Steelers practice squad after Sunday.
Against the Colts, Smith will make his 2026 regular season and Steelers debut. Smith last appeared in the NFL regular season for the New York Jets in 2025.
Nichols will dress for his second game this season. He was also a practice squad elevation the past two games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns.
Slaughter has bounced back and forth between the Steelers practice squad and active roster this season. The defensive back has appeared in every game for Pittsburgh this fall.
The Steelers will host the Colts at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 1 pm ET.
Steelers Place Michael Pittman Jr. on IR, Elevate Brandon Smith From Practice Squad
Michael Pittman Jr. Pittsburgh Steelers
GettyPittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. won’t be able to play for four games while on IR because of a foot injury.
One of the big questions for Pittsburgh entering this weekend was what the team would decide to do with Pittman. Head coach Mike McCarthy announced Wednesday that the veteran wideout had a multiple-week injury. Every IR stint, though, has to last at least four weeks.
If the Steelers elected to forego placing Pittman on IR, then the team would be indirectly stating the receiver could be back within a month.
With Pittman heading to IR, though, that won’t be the case. The earlier he will be able to return is Week 10 on November 15. If he returns that date, because the Steelers haven’t played since October 1, Pittman will be out about a month and a half.
Smith isn’t a direct replacement for Pittman. Roman Wilson and Germie Bernard will be tasked with taking Pittman’s snaps and targets on offense. But Smith will give the Steelers additional receiver depth for at least Sunday against the Colts.
In three NFL regular seasons games, Smith doesn’t have a catch. He has played nine offensive snaps and 13 on special teams. Those three contests were with the Jets — one in 2024 and two last season.
Nichols will play for the Steelers again in Week 4. That could mean Rico Dowdle will not dress again, but the Steelers didn’t confirm that. Dowdle is officially questionable because of a toe injury.
In the past two games, Nichols has one touch, which was a carry. He didn’t gain any yards on the attempt.