Who Should I Start? Adam Thielen or DK Metcalf

Sunday, December 7, 12:53 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen are active for Sunday's Week 14 contest against the Baltimore Ravens. Both players are making their team debuts. Valdes-Scantling was signed from the Steelers' practice squad earlier this week after previously playing for the Buffalo Bills. In five games with Buffalo, he caught four of his eight targets for 40 yards. Meanwhile, Thielen was claimed off waivers after he and the Minnesota Vikings mutually agreed to part ways. The 35-year-old had caught just eight passes through 11 games. He is one year removed from a solid 2024 campaign with the Carolina Panthers in which he caught 48 passes for 615 yards and five touchdowns. Neither player is much of a hot commodity in fantasy football, but they both have the potential to carve out significant roles. After all, the Steelers have been underwhelmed by the wide receiver position across the entire depth chart, including receivers DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III, and could be looking for meaningful contributions from new faces.

Thursday, December 11, 3:34 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (stomach), who went to a Baltimore hospital as a precaution after Sunday's win over the Ravens due to stomach pain, returned to practice on Thursday, according to Mike DeFabo. Head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that he expects Metcalf to be available for the team's Week 15 contest on Monday night versus the visiting Miami Dolphins. The 27-year-old went off for Pittsburgh on Sunday, setting season-highs in catches (seven), targets (12), and receiving yards (148) in the 27-22 victory. It was the first time that Metcalf hit the 100-yard mark since Sept. 28, and only the second time all year in his first season in Pittsburgh. His fantasy managers will be hoping that he can keep it going into the fantasy playoffs in a plus matchup against Miami in primetime. Metcalf should be treated as a low-end WR2 in fantasy in Week 15.