The Pittsburgh Steelers return will once again play without veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, as the team did not elevate him from the practice squad for Sunday’s Week 8 game against the Cleveland Browns before Saturday’s deadline.

The Steelers re-signed Valdes-Scantling to their practice squad last Tuesday, after he was released by the Los Angeles Chargers the previous weekend.

Valdes-Scantling, who played five games with the Steelers in 2025, has his deep familiarity with both quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy, which should help him adjust to a new team quickly, but not quickly enough for him to take part in this week’s game.

The Steelers are currently without three of their top five wide receivers, with Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, and Michael Pittman Jr. all dealing with injuries. Pittman and Wilson are on injured reserve, while Skowronek is questionable after being limited all week in practice as he tries to return from his calf injury.

McCarthy was asked about Valdes-Scantling this week, and praised his work with the club so far.

“I just want to see him practice, go hard every day like he always has,” McCarthy said. “He has history with Aaron. I mean, obviously I have history with him also, too. But he’s done a really good job. I was just talking to [wide receivers coach] Adam Henry about the group earlier, so we’ve just got to keep working those guys and getting them ready.”

Instead of elevating Valdes-Scantling, the Steelers once again turned to fellow practice squad wideouts Brandon Johnson and Brandon Smith. Smith was signed from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, while Johnson was elevated for a third time.

Valdes-Scantling was with the Dallas Cowboys this offseason but was released in August. He signed with the Chargers on Sept. 23.

The 31-year-old played with Rodgers for the Green Bay Packers from 2018-21, and was drafted to Green Bay under McCarthy

Valdes-Scantling played in five games for the Steelers last season, catching 10 passes for 80 yards and one touchdown.

“I love MVS. I’ve always enjoyed playing with him,” Rodgers said last October before Valdes-Scantling signed with the Steelers. “He’s one of my favorite teammates of all-time. He is a really special guy, and I think MVS can still really play.”

Valdes-Scantling previously played four seasons with Rodgers in Green Bay, setting career-highs in 2020 with 690 receiving yards and six touchdown grabs. Rodgers recruited Valdes-Scantling to line up beside him in the Steel City and went his way three times in a row late in a Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns, one of the two games DK Metcalf was suspended for.

Rodgers targeted Valdez-Scantling nine times during that contest.

“Obviously, me and him have a really good rapport,” Valdes-Scantling said when asked if he had a feeling the ball was going his way on fourth-and-the-ball-game. “We just couldn’t connect a couple times down the field today, and that sucks.”

Valdes-Scantling said he wanted to return to Pittsburgh this offseason, but couldn’t wait for Rodgers to make his own decision about whether he wanted to return.

“I was still interested in playing for Pittsburgh,” Valdes-Scantling said. “But I was very adamant on I wanted to play with Aaron if I was going to go back to Pittsburgh because he’s one of my best friends I’ve made in this league over my nine-year career now. 

“He was still undecided if he was going to go back and play or if he was going to hang it up. So, I was like, ‘Let’s see what else is out there.’”