The Pittsburgh Steelers lost a brutal game to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Had they won, Pittsburgh would’ve clinched the AFC North and found themselves in the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Steelers, Cleveland won the game 13-6, and Pittsburgh will now play the Baltimore Ravens in the final game of the NFL regular season in a game that will determine which team wins the AFC North and goes to the playoffs.
Pittsburgh failed to score a single touchdown in the game against Cleveland, with the wide receivers proving to be especially inefficient. The lack of efficiency from the receiver corps wasn’t the most surprising development, as WR2 Calvin Austin III missed the game with a hamstring injury and WR1 DK Metcalf was suspended for the team’s final two games of the regular season.
Metcalf appealed the suspension, but it was ultimately upheld, meaning the Steelers won’t be getting their star playmaker, who was acquired via an offseason trade with the Seattle Seahawks, in the de facto playoff game against the Ravens.
However, the Steelers will have a contributor on the other side of the ball back from suspension ahead of Sunday’s contest, according to one prominent Steelers outlet. Unfortunately, Ekuale will still have to be activated from the Reserve/Injured list if the Steelers want him to contribute on Sunday.
“The suspension of Steelers DT Daniel Ekuale has now ended and he has been removed from the Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner list,” reported Steelers Depot.
The suspension of Steelers DT Daniel Ekuale has now ended and he has been removed from the Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner list. He is still on the Reserve/Injured list, however. #Steelers #NFL
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) December 29, 2025
Ekuale could be a huge addition, considering Pittsburgh will need all the help it can get to slow down star running back Derrick Henry. It’ll be interesting to see if Ekuale is activated and if the Steelers are able to overcome Metcalf’s absence to make the playoffs.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.