Just about everyone with the Pittsburgh Steelers is excited wide receiver D.K. Metcalf has officially returned from his two-game suspension at the end of the regular season. That includes Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
But Tuesday, the long-time head coach tried to temper expectations around Metcalf being back for the playoffs.
Essentially, Tomlin made it clear through the media that the Steelers can’t rely solely on the No. 1 wideout’s return to defeat the Houston Texans in the AFC wild card round.
“Certainly awesome to have D.K. [Metcalf] back. But we’re not going to exhale and think D.K. automatically, with his presence, will be a difference or be the difference,” Tomlin told reporters Tuesday. “Football is the ultimate team game. It’s going to require a great effort from all parties involved.
“But certainly excited about doing it with him.”
Metcalf received NFL reinstatement from his 2-game suspension Monday. The 28-year-old missed Weeks 17 and 18 after engaging in an altercation with a Detroit Lions fan on December 21.
Despite missing the final two games, Metcalf finished with a team-high 850 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns in 2025.
D.K. Metcalf Returning for Steelers-Texans Matchup
Tomlin’s message to his offense that Metcalf’s return alone won’t mean a victory over Houston is well warranted. But it’s easy to understand why pundits expect a better Steelers offense with Metcalf back against the Texans.
It was largely a frustrating past two weeks for the Steelers offense. The team didn’t score a touchdown in its first six quarters without Metcalf.
Only an outburst of three touchdown drives in the second half of Week 18 and a late missed Baltimore Ravens field goal saved Pittsburgh’s season.
Metcalf is, by far, the top deep threat in the Steelers receiver room. He gives the team’s offense the best chance of splash plays downfield. Metcalf also draws coverage away from other pass-catchers who can move the chains with underneath routes.
The Steelers are a lot better in the red zone with Metcalf as well. The past two weeks, the team scored touchdowns on just two of six red zone possessions.
Could Steelers Benefit From Metcalf’s Suspension?
To Tomlin’s point, though, one-dimensional offenses don’t go very far in the NFL playoffs. The Steelers will need other playmakers producing Monday night to advance in the postseason.
The good news is the Steelers might now have more confidence in some of their offensive role players since they stepped up without Metcalf the past two weeks.
“When you’re lacking significant players, it’s opportunities for others to show what they are capable of and to acceleration growth and development and cohesion in other areas,” said Tomlin.
The Steelers head coach specifically mentioned Adam Thielen and Scotty Miller as veteran depth receivers who showed more capable the past two weeks. Tomlin also listed the pass-catching ability of running backs Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren as keys.
“It’s not only D.K. missing games, but he missed practices. Those balls go elsewhere daily in practice,” Tomlin added. “So, certainly, there was some residual benefit in terms of him doing so not only in the two games, but in the two weeks.”
Entering Week 18, two-thirds of Pittsburgh’s passing yards were after the catch. The Steelers led the league in that category during the regular season.
To beat the Texans, the Steelers will need more of that on January 12. But with Metcalf back, the Steelers could also have the opportunity for passing plays with longer air yards.
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