PITTSBURGH —Rookie fullback Riley Nowakowski suffered an ankle injury during the Pittsburgh Steelers preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night , general manger Omar Khan announced on Monday.
Nowakowski played extensively in the game against the Bills, appearing in 30 total snaps. He lined up as a fullback, tight end, and also played on four phases of special teams: kickoff, kickoff return, punt and punt return.
Khan said that despite the injury, he expects Nowakowski to be ready to play in Week 1.
"All of [our injured players] are trending positively leading up to the game," Khan said. "Riley Nowakowski had an ankle and he is good to go."
Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Riley Nowakowski and guard Gennings Dunker during a preseason game on Aug. 27, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
It's not clear how much the team intends to use Nowakowski, the team's fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Indiana. The Steelers had Connor Heyward in a similar role in 2025, but Mike McCarthy does not use nearly as many multiple-tight end formations as former Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith did.
The Steelers do not have another traditional fullback on the roster. Robert Tonyan is the team's third tight end. Nowakowski also played tight end at Indiana, but he is clearly the fourth option at that position behind Pat Freiermuth , Darnell Washington and Tonyan.
The Steelers signed undrafted rookie tight end Lake McRee to their practice squad on Monday.
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