Metcalf is a new addition to the report. The illness showed up Friday, and he did not practice. He has 19 catches for 225 yards this season, per ProFootballTalk.
The timing is rough for a thin room. Roman Wilson (finger) and Ben Skowronek (calf) are both out for Sunday, and Michael Pittman Jr. is on injured reserve with a foot injury. With Metcalf sick, rookies Germie Bernard and Kaden Wetjen are the only healthy wide receivers on the 53-man roster, according to ProFootballTalk.
Running back Rico Dowdle is also questionable with a toe injury. The difference is that Dowdle practiced fully on Friday, per RotoWire, which points to a player the team expects to have. Cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey (wrist) and Jamel Dean (ankle) and defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (ankle) are questionable as well, and safety DeShon Elliott (knee) is out.
What is confirmed: Metcalf missed Friday's practice with an illness and is questionable. What is still open: whether he feels well enough by Sunday to play, and how much the illness limits him if he does. Illness designations tend to resolve late, so the answer may not come until inactives.
For RSO owners, keep Metcalf in your lineup plans for now, but line up a fallback that plays in a later window or has a clear role. If you roster Bernard, he is the receiver who gains the most if Metcalf sits, since Pittsburgh has almost no one else healthy at the position. Bernard and Wetjen are worth a look in deeper leagues as short-term adds, not as long-term pieces. Dowdle's full Friday session makes him a reasonable start.
