83 Heath Miller TE

Miller announced Friday his intention to retire from the NFL.

A late first-round pick all the way back in 2005, Miller spent the entirety of his 11-year career in gold and black. Over that span, he collected two Pro Bowl nominations, won two Super Bowls, earned a team MVP award in 2012 and was named to the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team in 2007. The 33-year-old tight end remained relatively healthy throughout his career, missing no more than two games in any given campaign. He leaves the team as the franchise's all-time leader among tight ends in receptions (592), receiving yards (6,579), and receiving touchdowns (45). A staple in Pittsburgh and a favorite among the fans, the Steelers will finally need to move on and look elsewhere for production out of the position.

Miller had one reception for five yards in the Steelers' loss to the Broncos on Sunday.

Needed in pass protection, Miller had his second quiet game of the post season after grabbing 60 of 81 targets for 535 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season. He also ran for two yards on just the second rushing attempt of his career. Miller is the first tight end in team history to record back-to-back 60 catch seasons, but he has only score more than three touchdowns in a season once in the past six years, limiting his fantasy value. At 33, Miller may still have another solid season ahead of him, or he could lose some snaps to younger tight ends like Jesse James.

Miller caught 2-of-3 targets for nine yards Saturday in the Steelers' win over the Bengals.

After two solid games against Cincinnati earlier this season in which he caught 20-of-23 targets for 171 yards, Miller's showing in the Wild Card game had to be a disappointment for fantasy owners. He'll face a Broncos defense in Week 19 that limited him to just three catches for 12 yards in Week 15.

Miller caught 3-of-4 targets for 18 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers' win over the Browns on Sunday.

The three receptions give Miller at least 60 receptions in a season for the second consecutive year, and his two-yard touchdown reception from Ben Roethlisberger increased Miller's career touchdown reception total to 45, the fourth-most in Steelers history behind Hines Ward (85), John Stallworth (63) and Lynn Swann (51).

Miller caught five of six targets for 49 yards in Sunday's loss to the Ravens.

The workmanlike performance actually represented Miller's fourth-highest yardage total of the season, illustrating his low weekly ceiling with so many other mouths to feed on the Pittsburgh offense. Miller still possesses a steady role in the passing attack, and this should remain the case as the Steelers fight for a playoff berth next week versus the Browns on the road.

Miller caught three passes for 12 yards in Pittsburgh's win over Denver on Sunday.

Only five of Ben Roethlisberger's passed were directed at Miller, disappointing fantasy owners who started him on the heels of his 66 yard, 10 catch performance in Week 14. For those that survived to play next week, consider that Miller had just one reception for one yard in Week 4 against Baltimore, who he faces in Week 16.

Miller (rib) is active for Sunday's contest versus the Broncos, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Miller followed a rest day Wednesday with full sessions to end the week, paving the way to handle his starting tight end spot. Considering the pass rushers across the way -- DeMarcus Ware (back) and Von Miller, to name two -- Miller may log more snaps than normal as a blocker. However, the Broncos have yielded 12.3 YPC and three touchdowns to opposing tight ends over the last four games.

Miller (ribs) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Miller sat out Wednesday's practice, but since fully returned to the action and is expected to play as usual Sunday versus Denver.

Miller (rib) practiced fully Thursday.

Miller did not practice Wednesday, but his full participation Thursday presumably foreshadows an official probable designation for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Miller (rib) did not practice Wednesday.

Miller caught 10 passes for 66 yards in his return to action in Week 14 and with no reported setbacks, there's a decent chance that the tight end's absence from practice Wednesday was maintenance-related.

Miller hauled in all 10 passes that came his way for 66 yards and added a two-yard run in Sunday's win over the Bengals.

Sunday was Miller's second 10-catch game in a five-week span and the third time this season he has collected eight or more catches. Of course, Miller has also been held to three or fewer receptions seven of his 12 games this season and ranks fourth on the team in catches. Six of those games took place during the first seven games of the year, so Miller is certainly on the upswing, but it's hard to justify starting a tight end that hasn't reeled in a touchdown since Week 2.

Miller (ribs) is active Sunday against the Bengals.

Miller did not play last week due to the injury, but he'll slot back in Sunday against Cincinnati, who he had 10 catches for 105 yards against back in Week 8.

Miller (ribs) is listed as probable for Sunday's road game against the Bengals.

Miller, who missed last Sunday's win over the Colts, didn't practice Wednesday, was limited on Thursday and then was a full participant Friday. The veteran tight end is thus poised to re-enter the Steelers' lineup in Week 14, and it's worth noting that the last time he faced the Bengals (on on Nov. 1 at Heinz Field), Miller caught a season-high 10 passes for a season-best 105 yards.

Miller (ribs) returned to a limited practice Thursday.

Miller's return to practice Thursday, albeit in a limited capacity, suggests that he has a chance to return to action Sunday against the Bengals, with the release of Friday's injury report hopefully adding clarity with regard to the tight end's Week 14 status.

Miller (ribs) did not practice Wednesday.

Coach Mike Tomlin previously indicated that Miller "has a chance this week," but Wednesday's missed practice underscores that the tight end's availability for Sunday's game against the Bengals is far from a lock. Next up for the team's tight end targets in the event that Miller is unable to return to the lineup this weekend is Jesse James.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Miller (ribs) "has a chance to play this week."

Miller remained sidelined in Sunday's victory over the Colts, but he showed progress last week, returning to the practice field for a limited session Friday after sitting out the previous two days. If he is able to increase his practice participation this week -- either the number of days or his activity level -- he will have a good chance to take the field in Week 14.

Miller (ribs) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Colts.

Miller missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, then returned as a limited participant Friday. He could be back for Week 14 against the Bengals, but either Jesse James or Matt Spaeth will have to start Sunday's game. James is more likely to make an impact in the passing game, as Spaeth is a blocking specialist with just 55 catches in 118 career appearances.

Miller (rib) is listed as questionable for Sunday night's game against the Colts.

Per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Miller looks like a game-time decision for the contest, though he suggests that the veteran tight end is "not likely" to suit up. Complicating matters for fantasy owners is the Steelers' 8:30 ET kickoff Sunday night, but if Miller ends up scratched this weekend, look for rookie Jesse James to see an expanded workload in the Steelers' Week 13 offense, while working along with fellow TE Matt Spaeth. Of the two, James would be the preferred fantasy dart, with his 6-foot-7 frame giving him a degree of red zone upside.

Miller (ribs) did not practice Thursday.

If Miller ends up out or limited Sunday night against the Colts, look for 6-foot-7 rookie Jesse James to see an expanded workload in the Steelers' Week 13 offense, while working along with fellow TE Matt Spaeth (knee), health permitting.

Miller (ribs) did not practice Wednesday.

We'll continue to to track Miller's status as the week rolls along, but if he ends up being considered a game-time decision this week, the Steelers' 8:30 ET kickoff Sunday could be problematic for the tight end's fantasy owners.