Steven Sims Jr.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Wide Receiver #31
Pittsburgh Steelers
Wide Receiver #31

Steven Sims Jr. News

Racks up 16 yards in win

Sims rushed once for 16 yards during the Steelers' 28-14 win over the Browns on Sunday.

Analysis: Sims played at least 34 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps in each of the final nine games of the season, but he saw inconsistent touches and wasn't a reliable fantasy option. Over 12 appearances, he secured 14 of 23 targets for 104 yards while rushing 13 times for 70 yards. He's slated to become a restricted free agent during the offseason, and it's unclear whether he'll be back with the Steelers in 2023. The 25-year-old served as the team's return man down the stretch but is unlikely to carry much fantasy value if he remains in Pittsburgh next year.

Jan 9, 2023 11:53 AM EST


Tallies 34 receiving yards

Sims secured three of four targets for 34 yards during the Steelers' 16-13 win over the Ravens on Sunday.

Analysis: Sims matched his highest target total of the season during Sunday's primetime matchup, and he racked up a season-high 34 yards, highlighted by a 28-yard reception late in the fourth quarter. Although the 25-year-old's production has remained inconsistent, he's now had double-digit yards from scrimmage over the last five games, and he's secured nine of 13 targets for 81 yards while rushing six times for 39 yards during that time.

Jan 2, 2023 9:20 AM EST



Logs 29 yards from scrimmage

Sims secured one of two targets for 10 yards while rushing twice for 19 yards during the Steelers' 24-16 win over Carolina on Sunday.

Analysis: Sims totaled 31 yards during last week's loss to the Ravens and fell just short of that mark against the Panthers, but it was still encouraging to see him slightly more involved in Pittsburgh's offense. He's played at least 43 percent of the team's offensive snaps in three of the last five weeks but remains a lackluster fantasy option at this point.

Dec 19, 2022 7:57 AM EST


Tallies four receptions in Week 14

Sims secured all four of his targets for 30 yards while rushing once for one yard during the Steelers' 16-14 loss to Baltimore on Sunday.

Analysis: Sims had three carries during last week's win over Atlanta, and he logged a season-high five touches during Sunday's narrow loss while also playing a season-high 47 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps. While it's been encouraging to see Sims' playing time increase over the last few weeks, he hasn't been consistent enough to warrant fantasy consideration in most formats.

Dec 12, 2022 9:45 AM EST


Logs three carries in win

Sims rushed three times for 19 yards while failing to secure either of his two targets during the Steelers' 19-16 win over Atlanta on Sunday.

Analysis: Sims averaged a team-high 6.3 yards per carry during Sunday's matchup, but he didn't have enough volume to provide much fantasy value. He's played at least 34 percent of the snaps in the four games following Pittsburgh's Week 9 bye but has had limited touches, as he's secured just three of nine targets for 24 yards while rushing six times for 18 yards during that time.

Dec 5, 2022 1:54 PM EST



Offering little sans Claypool

Sims was targeted three times and recorded two catches for nine yards in Monday's 24-17 win over the Colts.

Analysis: Even though the Nov. 1 trade that sent Chase Claypool to the Bears has opened up more work for Sims, he's still had to split the No. 3 receiver role with Gunner Olszewski, while Diontae Johnson and George Pickens have been every-down players. In the three games since the Claypool trade, Sims has produced a modest 3-24-0 receiving line on seven targets.

Nov 30, 2022 10:06 AM EST


Likely in line for increased role

Sims will likely have more opportunities in the slot going forward after Chase Claypool was traded to the Bears on Tuesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Sims drew a season-high three targets during Sunday's loss to the Eagles but managed just minus-1 yard on two receptions while rushing twice for 21 yards. He's mainly returned kicks for the Steelers when available early in the year, but coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday that Sims should see additional work on offense after Claypool was traded. "He's been making plays when called upon, and I think based on what we've seen, it's reasonable to expect that to continue," Tomlin said. The Steelers have a Week 9 bye, so Sims will have an additional week to prepare for his new role in the team's offense. However, given that he's drawn just three targets over three games this season, it's unclear whether Sims will have enough volume to be a fantasy-relevant player over the second half of the year.

Nov 2, 2022 12:26 PM EST


Records 20 yards on four touches

Sims caught two of his three targets for minus-1 yard and carried twice for 21 yards in Sunday's 35-13 loss to the Eagles.

Analysis: Sims was on the field for 14 of the Steelers' 76 snaps on offense, narrowly outpacing Miles Boykin (11) for fourth among Pittsburgh's receivers. Both Sims and Boykin are likely to see their opportunities expand beginning with the Steelers' Week 9 game against the Saints, after the Steelers dealt wideout Chase Claypool to the Bears ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. Fellow wideouts Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, tight end Pat Freiermuth and running back Najee Harris should all remain higher priorities in the Steelers' pass-catching hierarchy, however, so Sims could still struggle to see enough target volume to emerge as a useful fantasy option.

Nov 1, 2022 10:49 AM EST


Sheds injury designation

Sims (hamstring) is no longer on the Steelers' injury report Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Sims missed the team's Week 7 contest with the Dolphins and was limited in practice Wednesday. His bump up to a full participant Thursday should put him on the field Sunday against the Eagles, where he'll operate as the team's return man on kicks and punts.

Oct 27, 2022 12:39 PM EST


Limited Wednesday

Sims (hamstring) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official website reports.

Analysis: Sims was sidelined for the team's Week 7 loss to Miami due to a hamstring injury he picked up a week prior. The return specialist didn't practice at all last week, so his return Wednesday, albeit in a limited fashion, is certainly encouraging. Sims will have two more opportunities to upgrade to a full participant before the team needs to make a decision on his status for Sunday's matchup against the Eagles.

Oct 26, 2022 1:35 PM EST


Unavailable Week 7

Sims (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Sims worked as Pittsburgh's return man the past two weeks but will sit out this weekend due to the hamstring issue. Gunner Olszewski handled return duties earlier this season and could reclaim the role Sunday.

Oct 21, 2022 1:36 PM EST


Nursing hamstring injury

Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Sims is dealing with a hamstring injury, Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: Sims has mostly contributed on special teams while appearing in Pittsburgh's past two contests, and he hasn't yet earned a target this season. If healthy, he projects to handle a similar role Sunday at Miami.

Oct 18, 2022 9:51 AM EST


Not listed on injury report

Sims wasn't listed on the Steelers' injury report Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reprots.

Analysis: Sims suffered an eye injury during pregame warmups ahead of the team's week 5 loss to the Steelers and didn't get onto the field until the second quarter. The extent of the situation remains unclear, but he appears to have cleared the issue and should reprise his role as the Steelers' top kicker returner in Week 6.

Oct 12, 2022 1:38 PM EST


Suffers eye injury during pregame

Sims suffered an eye injury during pregame warmups ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bills, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Analysis: The extent of the injury remains unclear, but Sims wasn't in to start the game. James Pierre replaced Sims as the Steelers' kick returner and fumbled his first opportunity.

Oct 9, 2022 10:19 AM EST


Will miss Week 1

Sims (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Bengals, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: Sims is currently No. 6 on Pittsburgh's wide receiver positional depth chart, and behind Gunner Olszewski for return duties. The 25-year-old will have to wait until Week 2 to try and make his season debut.

Sep 11, 2022 8:48 AM EST


Listed as backup returner

Sims is listed as the No. 2 kick returner and punt returner on Pittsburgh's Week 1 depth chart, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: Sims spent most of the 2021 season on the Steelers' practice squad but earned a spot on the 53-man roster ahead of the 2022 campaign. However, the 25-year-old could struggle to see the field since he's listed as depth at receiver and is behind Gunner Olszewski for return duties on the Week 1 depth chart.

Sep 5, 2022 1:20 PM EST


Remains with Steelers

The Steelers signed Sims to a reserve/future contract Wednesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Sims joined the Steelers' practice squad in late September and was elevated to the active roster once during the 2021 campaign. He played just four offensive snaps in the team's Week 10 tie against the Lions and will now remain with the organization heading into the offseason.

Jan 19, 2022 2:07 PM EST


Restored to practice squad

Sims was restored to the Steelers' practice squad from the COVID-19 list Tuesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: Sims has only appeared in one game for the Steelers this season, in Week 10 against the Lions. Now healthy, he can return to practice with the team.

Jan 4, 2022 2:47 PM EST


On COVID-19 list

The Steelers placed Sims (undisclosed) on the practice squad COVID-19 list Saturday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Washington waived Sims in the midst of the preseason, after which he spent roughly a week with Buffalo before not making it past cut-down day. Since then, he's resided on Pittsburgh's practice squad and even earned an elevation Week 10 against Detroit, going without a target on four offensive snaps. Now that he's on the COVID-19 list, Sims isn't eligible to jump up to the active roster until he clears league protocols.

Dec 25, 2021 6:47 PM EST


Reverts to practice squad

Sims reverted to the Steelers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Analysis: Sims got the nod with Chase Claypool (toe) out against the Lions on Sunday. He saw five snaps of offense, but never received a target. Depending on Claypool's availability going forward, Sims will work toward another opportunity with the active roster.

Nov 15, 2021 6:34 PM EST


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