Steelers' Kaden Wetjen: Makes impact on special teams Thursday
Rotowire
Wetjen caught one of two targets for seven yards, gained 17 yards on his only kickoff return and added 61 yards and a touchdown on four punt returns in Thursday's 28-27 preseason loss to the Bills.
The 2026 fourth-round pick took advantage of Buffalo being forced to punt out its end zone in the fourth quarter, catching the ball on the Bills' side of midfield, surviving some initial contact and then reversing course to jet down the left sideline to the house. Wetjen returned six kicks for TDs in three seasons at Iowa, but he doesn't offer much value on offense, so it remains to be seen whether the Steelers will carry the return specialist on the Week 1 roster.
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Steelers' Kaden Wetjen: Returns to practice
Rotowire
Wetjen (undisclosed) was a full participant in Sunday's practice, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Wetjen missed Saturday's session with an undisclosed issue. The projected kick and punt returner seems to have quickly recovered from whatever injury he sustained during Thursday's preseason opener against the Packers. Wetjen caught both of his targets for 79 yards and a touchdown while also returning three kicks for 61 yards during Thursday's contest. The wide receiver also returned two punts for 10 yards. The fourth-round rookie's versatility and production could be a catalyst that quickly moves him up the depth chart in the coming weeks.
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Steelers' Kaden Wetjen: DNP on Saturday
Rotowire
Wetjen (undisclosed) did not participate in Saturday's practice, Alan Saunders of steelersnow.com reports.
The rookie fourth-rounder likely suffered an injury in Thursday night's preseason opener against the Packers. Wetjen had a massive preseason debut, catching two balls for 79 yards and a touchdown. It is unclear how severe the rookie's injury is, but if he cannot return to action soon, Max Hurleman may see more opportunities with the offense next Friday against the Jets.
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Steelers' Kaden Wetjen: Picked by Pittsburgh
Rotowire
The Steelers selected Wetjen in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 121st overall.
Wetjen (5-foot-9, 193 pounds) will have his arrival in Pittsburgh's wide receiver corps overshadowed by rookie second-round pick Germie Bernard, which is reasonable given the former's undersized frame and lack of top-end speed (4.47 40-yard dash). While Wetjen could provide competition for depth wideouts Ben Skowronek and A.T. Perry this offseason, his best odds of contributing as a rookie will be in the return game, as he led the FBS with an average of 26.8 yards per punt return in his 2025 season at Iowa, returning three punts (as well as one kickoff) for a touchdown. It will be a surprise if Wetjen doesn't challenge Donte Kent (ankle) for the top punt returner gig immediately.
