Despite thePittsburgh Steelers' previously expressed optimism that all players currently on injured reserve have ashot at returning in 2026, a player may have accidentally leaked a disastrous health update.
During an appearance on the Chalk Talk radio show withSteelersinsider Gerry Dulac, Steelers outside linebacker Jack Sawyer hinted that Sebastian Joseph-Day may not return in 2026.
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"Obviously, we're looking forward to getting Derrick back. It sucks we're not gonna be able to get Sebastian back for — maybe at all,"Sawyer said.
WR Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
(Kiyoshi Mio, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
S Isaiah Pola-Mao, Las Vegas Raiders
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
CB Riq Woolen, Philadelphia Eagles
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
G Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia Eagles
(Eric Hartline, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
(Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Unio, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
WR Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
(Mark Konezny, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
WR Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
(Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJer, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
WR Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
CB Donte Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
WR Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
(Kiyoshi Mio, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
WR Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
(Kiyoshi Mio, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
S Isaiah Pola-Mao, Las Vegas Raiders
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
CB Riq Woolen, Philadelphia Eagles
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
G Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia Eagles
(Eric Hartline, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
(Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Unio, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
WR Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
(Mark Konezny, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Steelers potential trade target in concussion protocol this week
WR Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
(Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJer, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
9/10
10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
WR Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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CB Donte Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Joseph-Day, an eight-year veteran, was unable to practice with a triceps injury during Week 7 practice and was subsequently ruled out. He was placed on injured reserve on October 22.
Back on October 29, head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that every Steelers player on injured reserve may have a shot at returning in 2026. However, Sawyer's comments clearly tip the team's hand in regard to Joseph-Day potentially being out for the year.
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