Who Should I Start? DK Metcalf or Ricky Pearsall

Thursday, May 29, 6:10 PM

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had preliminary conversations with multiple teams about potentially adding another playmaker on offense to complement wide receiver DK Metcalf, multiple sources tell FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. The Steelers are believed to be motivated to get something done at some point, even though there's still plenty of time before the Week 1 regular-season opener. Pittsburgh could have up to 12 picks in the 2026 NFL draft, so they have plenty of draft capital to get something done. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported earlier on Thursday that the Steelers and Miami Dolphins are involved in talks surrounding tight end Jonnu Smith, even though Pittsburgh already has Pat Freiermuth at the position. The Steelers traded receiver George Pickens to Dallas three weeks ago and are now looking for a pass-catcher to fill the void next to Metcalf. Perhaps they are trying to sweeten things for free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has yet to commit to playing in the Steel City in 2025.

Thursday, May 29, 6:04 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) is dealing with a hamstring injury and likely won't return to practice until training camp at the end of July, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. It doesn't sound like it's a serious injury for Pearsall, the but Niners won't take any chances with last year's first-rounder after he also dealt with hammy issues going into his rookie season in 2024. The 24-year-old pass-catcher then suffered a gunshot wound to his chest and didn't make his NFL debut until Week 7. He's expected to have a key role in the offense in his sophomore season with Deebo Samuel Sr. no longer in town and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) unlikely to be ready for the start of the season, but Pearsall is going to lose valuable reps this offseason to gain chemistry with quarterback Brock Purdy. Pearsall could still be ready for Week 1, but this news doesn't do anything to dispel the notion that Pearsall is injury-prone.