Steelers Elevate Brandon Smith, Brandon Johnson With Ben Skowronek Out
The Pittsburgh Steelers added two receivers to their game-day roster before Sunday’s Week 7 matchup with the New Orleans Saints, elevating Brandon Smith and Brandon Johnson from the practice squad on Saturday, Oct. 24. Both players will revert to the practice squad after the game.
The move gives Pittsburgh extra depth with Ben Skowronek ruled out because of a calf injury. It also creates a clear pecking-order question for fantasy managers and Steelers fans: Smith handled a much larger offensive role last week, while Johnson brings the more established NFL receiving résumé.
Why both receivers were elevated
Skowronek did not practice during the week and received an out designation Friday. His absence removes an experienced blocker and special-teams contributor from Pittsburgh’s available receiver group.
Smith and Johnson were the only reserve wideouts to see offensive action against Tampa Bay in Week 6. According to the Steelers’ official snap review, Smith played 41 of the offense’s 79 snaps, or about 52 percent. Johnson played three snaps. DK Metcalf and Germie Bernard remain the primary receiving options, but those Week 6 totals give Smith the stronger case for another rotational assignment.
Brandon Smith has the clearer Week 7 path
Smith is a 6-foot-2, 215-pound receiver who spent time with the Jets, Patriots, Cowboys and Cardinals before joining Pittsburgh. He has appeared in NFL games but has not recorded a 2026 reception.
The important number is 41 snaps. Playing more than half of the offensive downs without producing a catch does not make Smith a fantasy starter, but it shows the coaching staff was willing to keep him on the field for a meaningful portion of the game. If last week’s deployment carries over, Smith should be the first of the two elevations to see offensive work.
Brandon Johnson offers experience and touchdown history
Johnson owns the more substantial career production. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound receiver has 26 career receptions for 335 yards and five touchdowns across 24 games, including three starts. He has appeared in one game for Pittsburgh this season without recording a catch.
Johnson’s five career touchdowns show that he has finished plays at the NFL level, but his three offensive snaps last week are the better indicator of his current position in the rotation. His most realistic Week 7 contribution may come through depth, special teams or a limited package rather than consistent route volume.
What it means for the Steelers offense
The elevations protect Pittsburgh against another receiver shortage, but they do not signal a replacement for Metcalf or Bernard. The Steelers can ask Smith to absorb rotational snaps while keeping Johnson available as experienced insurance.
Skowronek’s absence matters beyond targets. His blocking and special-teams work can affect personnel usage, field position and the offense’s willingness to use heavier formations. Smith’s size makes him a logical candidate for some of that physical work, although Pittsburgh has not announced a specific assignment.
Fantasy football outlook
Neither Smith nor Johnson belongs in a standard redraft lineup. Smith’s Week 6 snap share makes him the better deep-league watch, but snaps without targets do not create a reliable fantasy floor. Johnson’s career touchdown total is interesting history, not a current projection.
In dynasty leagues with very deep benches, Smith is the more useful monitor because his role expanded first. Managers in return-yard or special-teams formats can also check Sunday’s active list, but neither player should replace an established starter based solely on the elevations.
The actionable fantasy takeaway is to keep expectations unchanged for Pittsburgh’s featured pass catchers. These moves improve the Steelers’ depth; they do not create a new high-volume target.
Sunday checkpoint
The inactive list will provide the final confirmation of which elevated receivers dress. After kickoff, route participation and targets will matter more than raw snaps. If Smith again plays close to half of the offensive downs and begins earning targets, he could become a deeper waiver consideration. Until then, both players remain emergency depth rather than fantasy starts.
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