Austin brought in three of six targets for eight yards and returned one punt for 14 yards in the Steelers' 30-6 wild-card loss to the Texans on Monday night.

EDGE Analysis

Austin's receiving line underscores how suffocating the Texans defense was overall, on a night when Aaron Rodgers was sacked four times and threw for only 146 yards. Austin recorded 31 receptions for 372 yards and three touchdowns on 55 targets across 14 regular-season games in 2025, adding 15 punt returns for 101 yards. The 2022 fourth-round pick is slated to hit unrestricted free agency at the start of the new league year, and given his unremarkable body of work over his first four seasons, it's likely the Steelers allow him to explore the open market.

Austin had three receptions on seven targets for 55 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-24 win over the Ravens.

EDGE Analysis

Austin played the role of hero sans WR DK Metcalf (suspension) in Week 18 when he took advantage of a slip to the turf by Ravens cornerback Chidobe Awuzie in the final minute of regulation for the game-winning touchdown grab. The 26-year-old Austin was held to one reception for eight yards filling in for Metcalf last week, so this performance truly came from out of nowhere. Austin finishes the regular season with a 31-372-3 receiving line in 14 games, numbers that were good enough to register only with those playing in deeper fantasy formats. With Metcalf returning to action in the wild-card round of the playoffs, Austin possesses minimal upside for next Monday's tilt against the Texans.

Austin (hamstring) practiced in full Friday and does not carry an injury designation for Sunday night's regular-season finale against the Ravens, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Austin injured his hamstring Week 16 versus the Lions and subsequentially sat out Week 17, but he'll return to action to face Baltimore with the AFC North title on the line Sunday. With DK Metcalf (suspension) ruled out for one more game, Austin appears set to operate as the No. 1 wide receiver for veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, with a combination of Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek, Roman Wilson and potentially also practice-squad member Brandon Johnson contributing behind him. At tight end, with Darnell Washington (forearm) having been placed on IR, Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith are in position to split the majority of opportunities.

Austin (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Austin returned to practice as a limited participant Wednesday after having missed Week 17, and it's encouraging to see him string together another day of at least partial on-field reps. If he's able to upgrade to a full session Friday, Austin could avoid an injury designation entirely for Sunday's must-win divisional clash against Baltimore.

Austin (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Austin wasn't able to practice at all prior to being ruled out for Pittsburgh's loss to the Browns in Week 17, but head coach Mike Tomlin mentioned the wide receiver as a player who "definitely has a chance" to retake the field for Sunday night's contest against the Ravens. With DK Metcalf (suspension) unavailable for Week 18, and the Steelers facing a game in which the victor will secure the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs while the loser will be eliminated from postseason contention, Austin's availability will be crucial for Aaron Rodgers and the passing game.

Austin (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Browns, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Austin out and DK Metcalf suspended for two games, Varley suggests that it's "going to be all hands on deck this week" for the Steelers at the wide receiver position. With that in mind, added Week 17 snaps will be available for some combination of Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek and Roman Wilson, with Brandon Johnson representing a possible practice squad elevation. Additionally, QB Aaron Rodgers may turn to TEs Darnell Washington, Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith more often than usual, with Pittsburgh's top two WR options on the shelf this weekend.

Austin (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Austin has now missed back-to-back practices to begin Week 17 prep, making it safe to say that he's trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's road matchup against the Browns. The starting wideout is dealing with a hamstring injury sustained Week 16 against the Lions. With DK Metcalf (suspension) already out for Pittsburgh's final two games of the regular season, it's possible that Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek and Roman Wilson will have to serve as the Steelers' top wideouts versus Cleveland in Week 17.

Austin (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Austin injured his hamstring during the Steelers' Week 16 win over the Lions and was not cleared to return. The fourth-year wideout has worked in more of a rotational role at wide receiver over the past three weeks, but his absence would be detrimental to a Steelers offense that is already without DK Metcalf (suspension) for the final two games of the regular season. Austin will have two more opportunities to return to practice ahead of Sunday's AFC North tilt against the Browns.

Austin (hamstring) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Lions, Burt Lauten of the Steelers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Austin exited the game in the fourth quarter after sustaining the injury. The wide receiver caught his sole target for an eight-yard gain before his exit.

Austin failed to reel in his only target and recorded nine yards on three punt returns during Monday night's 28-15 win over the Dolphins.

EDGE Analysis

Austin was limited by a calf injury at practice late in the week, but he was ultimately able to play, failing to reel in a pass for the second time in three weeks. With the additions of Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in recent weeks, Austin's role on the offense has taken a hit, and he has now caught just one of five targets for 31 yards over the last three games.