Thielen is out for Week 9 with a hamstring issue. With their season already over, the Panthers have no reason to rush him back and are better off getting some draft picks in exchange for the veteran wideout. The Steelers, in turn, are shamelessly trotting out Van Jefferson as their No. 2 receiver. Both Thielen and Mike Williams would be upgrades over Jefferson and neither will cost much to acquire. Thielen topped 1,000 yards for the first time since 2018 last year but has spent most of the 2024 season on injured reserve. He would be a lowly WR4/5 on Pittsburgh's run-first offense if traded.
Jefferson continued to operate as the WR2 for an offense without clear options behind alpha wide receiver George Pickens, catching a 36-yard pass in the first quarter to propel his fantasy score. Even with a key role in the offense, Jefferson remains of little fantasy utility playing for an offense that typically does not go out of its way to push the offensive aggression behind one of the top defenses in the league.
Van Jefferson reeled in a four-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter from quarterback Russell Wilson against his father's team, the latter of whom coaches for the Jets. He isn't likely to return many startable fantasy weeks given the low pass volume of the Pittsburgh offense.
Van Jefferson's father, Shawn, coaches the Jets receivers.
Van Jefferson's father, Shawn, coaches the Jets receivers.