Fantasy Football News, Advice, Stats, Projections & Draft Kit

Posted 1/16/2021 6:02 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is eliciting optimism within the organization that he'll return for an 18th season in 2021, according to a report Saturday, Jan. 16.

Huddle Up: Big Ben will turn 39 in March, and he's definitely now more a mid-level QB2 after finishing 14th at the position in 2020.

Posted 1/14/2021 1:31 am UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger's future with the team is unknown as he heads into the final year of his contract at a cap hit of $41.25 million. Head coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday, Jan. 13, there's a decent chance Roethlisberger is back in 2021. 'I don't have a clear assessment of the overall depth of the cap ramifications, but I think it's reasonable to assume there's a chance he'll be back, certainly,' Tomlin said. Releasing Roethlisberger would leave Pittsburgh with $22.25 million in dead cap, according to Spotrac.

Huddle Up: Roethlisberger finished the season with 3,803 passing yards and 33 touchdowns against 10 interceptions, but he faded down the stretch and had arguably his worst game of the season against the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Wild Card Round. The soon-to-be 39-year-old will be a mid-tier QB2 if he returns to Pittsburgh next season.

Posted 1/09/2021 1:14 am UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) fully participated in practice Friday, Jan. 8, and is not on the injury report for the Wild Card playoff game.

Huddle Up: Smith-Schuster returned to the field Friday and should be able to handle his normal workload against the Cleveland Browns. He likely will see plenty of targets in the passing game and can a starting option in fantasy leagues.

Posted 1/08/2021 12:24 am UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) was added to the injury report and did not participate in practice Thursday, Jan. 7.

Huddle Up: There's no word yet on the seriousness of the issue Smith-Schuster is dealing with, but he'll need to practice in some capacity Friday for fantasy owners to feel OK with using him in playoff leagues and/or DFS. The 24-year-old did not miss a game during the regular season, so it seems likely he'll be available Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. If he cannot go, James Washington would immediately become a decent fantasy option.

Posted 1/03/2021 9:49 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Mason Rudolph went 22-for-39 for 315 yards, two touchdowns and one interception against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17. RB James Conner rushed for 37 yards on nine carries and caught five passes for 25 yards during the game. WR Chase Claypool caught five passes for 101 yards and one touchdown on 11 targets, WR Diontae Johnson caught three passes for 96 yards on four targets and WR JuJu Smith-Schuster caught six passes for 65 yards and one touchdown on eight targets.

Posted 1/02/2021 8:56 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers TE Eric Ebron on Saturday, Jan. 2, was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and will miss the regular-season finale Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

Huddle Up: Those hoping to roll with Ebron at tight end in Week 17 obviously will need to find another option.

Diontae Johnson - WR

Posted 1/01/2021 10:26 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (illness) did not participate in practice Friday, Jan. 1, but is not on the injury report for Week 17.

Huddle Up: The Steelers will be holding out several of their players for Week 17, so fantasy players will need to check the inactive list to see if Johnson sits out. He would be playing with Mason Rudolph if he is active for the game and can be avoided if better alternatives are available.

Posted 1/01/2021 9:29 pm UTC

Updating a previous report, Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (non-injury) did not practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns.

Huddle Up: It's been widely reported for a few days that Roethlisberger will sit out the regular-season finale in favor of Mason Rudolph, and this confirms it. Rudolph has done very little in his limited opportunities to show that he is worthy of fantasy consideration, so owners would be wise to look elsewhere for a Week 17 quarterback option.

Mason Rudolph - QB

Posted 12/29/2020 5:14 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will sit in Week 17. QB Mason Rudolph will get the start against the Cleveland Browns.

Huddle Up: Rudolph has no fantasy value against a Browns team with a playoff berth at stake

Posted 12/29/2020 3:10 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will sit out Week 17. QB Mason Rudolph will be under center.

Huddle Up: Rudolph has no fantasy value against the Cleveland Browns.

Posted 12/28/2020 12:36 am UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers TE Eric Ebron posted five receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown with seven targets in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts, his former team.

Huddle Up: Ebron was blanked last week in Cincinnati on Monday night, so fantasy owners with something to play for in Week 17 shouldn't be too dependent on the erratic veteran.

Chase Claypool - WR

Posted 12/28/2020 12:32 am UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Chase Claypool went for four receptions and 54 yards on six targets in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Huddle Up: Claypool has multiple receptions in nine straight games, and he has been a decent PPR option in deeper fantasy leagues. The Steelers travel to meet the Browns in Week 17.

Diontae Johnson - WR

Posted 12/28/2020 12:29 am UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson ended up with eight catches, 75 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Huddle Up: Johnson has had some issues with drops this season, but he was solid in the past two when it matters most for fantasy owners. He has 16 grabs for 134 yards and two scores on 27 targets over the past two games. He'll look to keep up the good work in Week 17 at Cleveland.

Posted 12/28/2020 12:06 am UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster ended up with nine receptions, a season-high 96 yard and a touchdown on 13 targets in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Huddle Up: Smith-Schuster missed out on his first 100-yard game, but fantasy owners are thankful he saved his best for the championship game in most leagues. He will face the Browns in Week 17, and he'll look to avenge a season-low six-yard performance vs. Cleveland on Oct. 18.

Benny Snell Jr. - RB

Posted 12/28/2020 12:05 am UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers RB Benny Snell rushed six times for no yards in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts and he was not targeted in the pass game.

Huddle Up: The Colts locked down the Steelers on the ground, as Pittsburgh had just 20 yards on 14 carries, or 1.4 yards per gain. Snell and the Steelers run game will look for better results in Week 17 in Cleveland.

Posted 12/28/2020 12:01 am UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner ran five times for 20 yards and a touchdown in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts, and he added five reception for 45 yards on five targets.

Huddle Up: It wasn't a great fantasy performance, but the touchdown and receptions were nice. With the AFC North wrapped up, it's uncertain if it will be Conner or Benny Snell carrying the load in Week 17 in Cleveland. DFS players will want to pay close attention to that.

Posted 12/27/2020 11:56 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger completed 34-of-49 passes for 342 yards, three second-half touchdowns and no interceptions in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts,

Huddle Up: Big Ben and the Steelers were down 21-7 at halftime, but Roethslisberger took over with three TD strikes to finally help Pittsburgh clinch the AFC North Division title. The Steelers finish up in Cleveland in Week 17, and with the division sewn up, it's uncertain if Big Ben will be rested or not.

Posted 12/25/2020 11:09 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers TE Eric Ebron (back) was a full participant in practice Friday, Dec. 25, and he does not carry an injury designation for Week 16 vs. the Indianapolis Colts.

Huddle Up: While this is a negative opponent for tight ends using season-long data -- 16.5 percent worse than the league average -- the Colts have relented their only touchdowns to the position in 2020 over the last five weeks. Four tight ends in that time have posted at least 10 PPR points, something that has happened only six times on the entire year. Ebron is a sneaky TE1 consideration.

Posted 12/25/2020 11:03 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner (quadriceps) was a full participant in practice Friday, Dec. 25, and he does not carry an injury designation for Week 16 vs. the Indianapolis Colts.

Huddle Up: In the last five weeks, Indianapolis ranks as a positive opponent, but that's because of the DeForest Buckner-less game in which Derrick Henry ran for three TDs. The reality is this group remains one of the tougher opponents for the position, and King Henry is the only back to rush for more than 72 yards vs. this unit in 2020. Since Conner is a capable receiver out of the backfield, he has a sliver of potential, but gamers should consider him little better than a last-resort PPR flex.

Posted 12/25/2020 10:56 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (non-injury related) was a full participant in practice Friday, Dec. 25, and he does not carry an injury designation for Week 16 vs. the Indianapolis Colts.

Huddle Up: Big Ben will be under center in Week 16 and is a low-end QB1, but there's some upside. The best way to beat Indianapolis is through the air, but gamers will be battling a tough matchup in addition to recent struggles by the star passer. Consider other options, if possible.

Posted 12/24/2020 11:23 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers TE Eric Ebron (back) fully participated in practice Thursday, Dec. 24.

Huddle Up: Ebron has a good chance to play this week as long as he does not suffer a setback. He has been a solid part of the passing game this season and can be a low-end No. 1 fantasy tight end if he plays.

Posted 12/24/2020 11:22 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner (quadriceps) fully participated in practice Thursday, Dec. 24.

Huddle Up: Conner appears to be on track for the Week 16 game after sitting out the last game because of the injury. He has not posted great numbers during the second half of the season but can still be a flex option in leagues.

Posted 12/24/2020 11:19 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (non-injury) fully participated in practice Thursday, Dec. 24.

Huddle Up: Roethlisberger has struggled with interceptions during the second half of the season and will be facing a tough matchup this week. He can be a starting option in two-quarterback leagues but should be avoided in standard leagues.

Posted 12/23/2020 9:34 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner (quadriceps) fully participated in practice Wednesday, Dec. 23.

Huddle Up: Conner was held out of the last game because of the injury but appears to be on track to play in Week 16. He has not had much success during the second half of the season but could still be at least a flex option in leagues since he should see a good amount of touches.

Posted 12/23/2020 9:32 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers TE Eric Ebron (back) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 23.

Huddle Up: Ebron suffered the injury in the last game and may not be able to recover during a short week. Fantasy players may want to look for other options and keep Ebron on the bench.

Posted 12/23/2020 9:27 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (non-injury) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 23.

Huddle Up: Roethlisberger has been struggling during the second half of the season and has thrown an interception in each of the last five games. He will be facing a tough Indianapolis Colts defense and should only be a starting option in two-quarterback leagues.

Posted 12/22/2020 5:49 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers TE Eric Ebron (back) should be OK after a big hit to the back knocked him out of the Week 15 game. He didn't have any organ damage, but there is a short week before the game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 27.

Huddle Up: Ebron would be a low-end TE1 if he's able to play against the Colts.

Posted 12/22/2020 5:39 pm UTC

Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner (quadriceps) could be back for Week 16, according to head coach Mike Tomlin.

Huddle Up: Conner was brutal after coming back from the COVID list and the quad issue popped up. He's still an RB2 in fantasy if he makes it back to at least a 60-percent timeshare.