It’s now been over a month since Marquez Valdes-Scantling was added to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad. Despite being a familiar friend of Aaron Rodgers, with the two holding each other in high regard, Valdes-Scantling has yet to come off the practice squad. ESPN’s Brooke Pryor thinks that could change against Baltimore this week.
“The Steelers did put in a claim, and were successful to grab Adam Thielen. But they also have Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the practice squad. And I would not be surprised to see him get an elevation for gameday. Adam Thielen feels a little more unlikely,” Pryor said Friday on ESPN’s SportsCenter.
Thielen is on the 53-man roster so he wouldn’t need to be elevated, but Pryor is likely talking about him dressing for the game here. When he was claimed, it did seem to spell bad news for Valdes-Scantling. He hadn’t been elevated in a month, and now the Steelers are adding more depth to his position. Ray Fittipaldo also said this week that the Steelers don’t seem excited about elevating Valdes-Scantling.
However, he also believes Thielen will have a smaller role this week, if he does play. So if Marquez Valdes-Scantling was to be elevated, there could be a role for him as well, although he’s got a similarly small level of production this year.
But at this point, the Steelers might as well add any talent they can to the room. They hoped Calvin Austin III would spring into the WR2 role, but he’s been just as inconsistent as the rest of the offense. Roman Wilson has had a couple of exciting weeks, but Rodgers isn’t looking his way often either.
Because nobody else can get open, it’s hurting DK Metcalf, too. He’s being double teamed and bracketed, especially on third downs and in the red zone. Since there isn’t another threat, besides shorter passes to tight ends and running backs, defenses can sit in those coverages without having to adjust.
It’s not a great chance that both Thielen and Valdes-Scantling are a full go this week. But it wouldn’t hurt to try one, or both. The Steelers’ current receiving corps is just not doing the job. And Pittsburgh doesn’t have time to be playing games anymore. With a loss this week, the playoff hopes dwindle significantly. You might as well see what you have in Marquez Valdes-Scantling, or Thielen, two players the Ravens wouldn’t have much film on from 2025.
