He is basically the focal point of every defense he faces. When you talk about the Steelers' offense this season, everything starts and ends with the physical freak that is DK Metcalf. But heading into Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers, the only thing anyone really cares about is whether he’s actually going to be on the field.
Look, we’ve seen this movie before. A star player is nicked up, the practice reports are vague, and suddenly your fantasy lineup is in total shambles at 1:00 PM on a Sunday.
Honestly, the situation with Metcalf has been a bit of a rollercoaster this year. After being traded from Seattle to Pittsburgh and pairing up with Aaron Rodgers, the expectations were sky-high. He’s been a high-end WR2 for most of the season, but he’s coming off a Week 7 stinker against the Bengals where he basically did nothing. Zero catches. Zero yards. It was his worst performance of the year, made even worse by a fumble that turned into an interception.
So, is DK Metcalf playing Week 8?
The Short Answer for Week 8
The good news is that DK Metcalf is expected to play in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers. Unlike the knee injury that sidelined him during Week 8 of the previous season in Seattle, or the drama-filled suspension that cost him the end of the 2025 regular season, Metcalf is currently healthy enough to lead the Steelers' receiving corps.
You’ve probably seen the "questionable" tags floating around on other players, but for this specific matchup at Acrisure Stadium, DK is the primary weapon Rodgers is looking for. The Steelers are 4-0 at home against Green Bay since 1998, and they’ll need Metcalf to keep that streak alive.
Why This Matchup Matters So Much
The Packers' pass defense is currently ranked 15th in the league, giving up about 212 yards per game. That’s middle-of-the-road, which usually means Metcalf can find some space.
Interestingly, Aaron Rodgers is facing his former team. You know he’s going to be motivated. He’s been slinging it to DK with a sort of "eff you" energy lately, even if the Bengals game was a total dud. Rodgers has shown he can still turn back the clock, and Metcalf is the only true outside threat on this roster right now.
If you’re sitting there wondering if you should bench him because of last week, don't.
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Football is weird. One week you’re getting shut out by DJ Turner II, and the next you’re mossing a defender in the end zone. Most experts have him projected for around 10-12 PPR points this week. It’s not "blow the roof off" territory, but it’s solid.
The Rodgers-Metcalf Chemistry
It’s been a weird year for the Steelers.
They’ve struggled with consistency. Without a clear No. 2 receiver after Adam Thielen's decline (and eventual retirement news), Metcalf has seen a ton of double teams. He’s currently the WR17 in fantasy points per game, which is impressive considering he hasn't had a single game with more than five receptions.
He’s the definition of "boom or bust."
He gets about 6-7 targets a game. If he catches three of those and one is a 50-yard bomb for a touchdown, you’re a genius. If he catches three for 40 yards and no score, you’re mad at your screen.
What to Watch For on Sunday Night
- The Revenge Factor: Rodgers wants to torch Green Bay. He’s going to force-feed his best playmaker.
- Safety Help: Watch how the Packers play their safeties. If they keep a deep man over Metcalf all night, Rodgers might have to check down to the tight ends or Kenneth Gainwell.
- Red Zone Targets: This is where Metcalf earns his paycheck. At 6'4" and 235 pounds, there isn't a cornerback in Green Bay who can physically match up with him one-on-one near the goal line.
A Quick Trip Down Memory Lane
It’s funny how people forget how lucky we are that he’s playing. If you remember Week 8 of 2024, back when he was still with the Seahawks, Metcalf was a "Doubtful" and eventually an "Inactive" against the Buffalo Bills because of a knee injury.
That was only the second time in his six-year career that he’d missed a game. He’s durable. He’s a tank.
But durability doesn't always mean "drama-free." Just look at what happened later in the 2025 season when he got suspended for that altercation with a fan in Detroit. That cost him two games and, more importantly, cost him about $45 million in future guarantees because of the way his contract was structured. The Steelers chose not to void those guarantees because they wanted to stay on his good side, but man, that was a close call.
Actionable Insights for Your Lineup
If you have DK Metcalf on your roster, you are starting him. Period.
You didn't draft him (or trade for him) to sit him during a home game against a mediocre secondary. The "stomach issue" and "knee flare-ups" that have popped up on injury reports in the past aren't a factor here.
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- DFS Players: He’s a volatile play. If you're playing a GPP tournament, he’s a great stack with Rodgers. For cash games, he might be too risky given his low floor.
- Season-long Leagues: Start him as a high-end WR2. Don't overthink the Bengals game.
- Prop Bets: Over/Under on his receiving yards is usually around 62.5. Given Rodgers' motivation, the "Over" feels like the smart play.
The Steelers are currently 3.5-point underdogs in some books, which actually helps Metcalf. If they’re trailing, they have to throw. And when the Steelers throw, the ball is going to #14.
Go ahead and lock him into your lineup. Unless something catastrophic happens in the Saturday walkthrough, DK Metcalf is a full go for Week 8.
Keep an eye on the official inactives list about 90 minutes before the 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff just to be safe. But honestly, you can breathe easy on this one. He's playing, he's healthy, and he's due for a massive bounce-back game against the Pack.