Pittsburgh’s first injury report of the week highlights eight players, with rookie Derrick Harmon returning to practice in a limited role and potentially easing a front that’s looked vulnerable early. His reintroduction could lift the defense as it faces New England, though workload will be tapered as he ramps up.

T.J. Watt and Darius Slay Jr. took veteran rest days, Highsmith is ruled out for the Patriots game, and Porter Jr. and Elliott are listed as questionable. Patrick Queen practiced fully, while Scharping was limited. Harmon’s return, combined with the uncertain statuses of key defenders, shapes Pittsburgh’s game plan and fantasy outlook against New England.

The note on Highsmith’s ankle and the team’s decision not to IR him offer a glimmer of optimism for a quicker-than-expected return. Context of earlier battles with Jets and Seahawks adds texture for evaluators tracking how Pittsburgh adjusts its front seven in this matchup.

Ramsey's clutch fourth-down jar clinched the Steelers' 34-32 comeback over the Jets, while Week 1 showcased his hybrid safety/slot usage beside DeShon Elliott and a stout Steelers secondary. Pittsburgh leaned on tight end activity in a 37-snaps-at-TE role for Smith, behind Freiermuth and Washington, signaling tight-end rotation volatility for fantasy setups. Across the league, ex-Dolphins like Long (Jacksonville), Smythe (Chicago), and Gesicki (Cincinnati) shuffled rosters, nudging Week 4 outlooks. Jets QB Justin Fields flashed, raising early Week 4 narrative stakes.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins' Week 1 fallout ripples through the fantasy landscape, as Ramsey’s return and new supporting casts shape IDP floors and offensive splits for Week 4 divisional matchups. The ripple effects touch Ng Jets playmakers Garrett Wilson and Justin Fields, plus ex-Dolphins in Cincinnati and Chicago, underscoring how personnel moves alter value across the league.

Pittsburgh’s defense enters a window of heightened expectation. Mike Tomlin’s bold optimism underscores a unit rebuilt to stop the run and sharpen back-end communication after a troublesome finish to 2024. The influx includes Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey, Juan Thornhill, Chuck Clark and Brandin Echols, joining a defensive core led by T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward with Patrick Queen in the mix. Ramsey’s role as a multifaceted striker at free safety has already yielded an early highlight, and Metcalf’s praise of the defense adds a level of respect from a firsthand rival. Aging stars on the Steelers, including Heyward at 36, add a caveat about longevity, even as Harmon, Black and Sawyer push to prove themselves. Tomlin’s history of dominant defenses, from his Buccaneers stint to Pittsburgh’s early-season excellence, provides a blueprint, but skepticism remains about the 30-plus group’s ability to sustain a historic run. The potential payoff is a defense that could redefine Pittsburgh’s ceiling, possibly even sparking a long-awaited playoff breakthrough if the scheme and communication click under pressure.

Ramsey and Slay sidelined at Steelers camp thrusts Cameron McCutchen, Kyler McMichael and Daryl Porter Jr. into extended reps, intensifying the cornerback depth battle in Pittsburgh. With the two stars out, the Steelers’ practice reps tilt toward the youngsters, creating clearer on-field tests and more favorable matchups for opposing offenses during scrimmages. Pittsburgh shifts focus to joint practices with Tampa Bay before a weekend preseason game, meaning big-picture CB development and depth chart clarity will come fast. Fantasy-minded observers should monitor how reps are divvied and which young corners seize the momentum as camp closes.