The Pittsburgh Steelers bought their revenge on the Cleveland Browns 27-14 on Sunday. However they did it with out their high extensive receiver, George Pickens. And consequently, the offense appeared a bit totally different than regular.
RB Jaylen Warren was the most-targeted Steelers participant within the passing recreation with 5. Vast receivers Scotty Miller and Mike Williams tied for second with 4. And but the Steelers nonetheless received by two scores. However are the Steelers constructed to win with out Pickens?
“That George Pickens damage has my consideration,” mentioned Dan Orlovsky on Tuesday’s episode of NFL Dwell. “A hamstring. I believe Pittsburgh must be extremely cautious with that. As a result of with out him, you haven’t any shot. With him, my tune has modified a bit bit extra inspired… Their run recreation? Nonetheless boom-or-bust. They’ve had moments the place they run the ball effectively, however there’s not many environment friendly moments.”
Orlovsky’s concern makes quite a lot of sense. George Pickens has stepped up because the number-one receiver in Pittsburgh because the staff traded WR Diontae Johnson within the offseason. He’s been focused 90 occasions by 12 video games, a median of seven.5 targets per recreation. That’s over a goal greater than in 2023 which included a stretch of video games with Johnson sidelined with damage.
Pickens solely has three touchdowns this season, however all three notably got here after QB Russell Wilson was inserted into the beginning lineup. Earlier than Wilson’s first begin which got here in opposition to the New York Jets, he had solely two video games (out of six) the place he averaged over 10 yards per goal. He’s had 4 such video games since Wilson took the sphere in opposition to the Jets (together with that very recreation). And in the event you’re involved about yards per catch, he’s had 5 of his seven video games with at the very least 15 yards per catch with Wilson at quarterback.
George Pickens has taken his recreation to a different degree this yr with Wilson as his quarterback. And the Steelers offense has appeared a lot better, too. On one hand, that will imply the Steelers need Pickens again as quickly as potential to proceed their push for the AFC North title.
Then again, hamstring accidents (and actually any smooth tissue accidents) want time to heal. If the Steelers rush Pickens again too quickly, they might lose him for longer. As head coach Mike Tomlin mentioned on Tuesday, an MRI revealed that the damage was extra extreme than they initially thought.
The truth is that the Steelers’ offense is struggling to provide persistently outdoors of Pickens. As Orlovsky mentioned, the run recreation isn’t persistently good. They’re averaging 3.9 yards per carry this season, which is twenty ninth within the league. That’s the identical yards per carry as RB Najee Harris. And the highway isn’t getting any simpler for the Steelers, both.
They face off in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The Eagles are one of many high groups within the NFC, and will probably be a major check of simply how shut the Steelers are to being a Tremendous Bowl contender.
The next weekend, the Steelers will face the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch. The Steelers defeated them within the first assembly this season, however a win subsequent weekend may put the nail within the coffin for the Ravens’ AFC North title aspirations.
After which comes Christmas Day and a gathering with the back-to-back Tremendous Bowl champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. The purpose is that beating the Eagles could be nice. Nonetheless, there are larger fish to fry within the coming weeks. Do the Steelers need to rush George Pickens again and probably trigger much more vital hurt? Or will they provide him the time wanted to heal correctly?
As a result of a wholesome George Pickens is an issue for everybody. Former NFL CB Aqib Talib known as him a high receiver within the league. And sure, everybody, together with the Steelers. But when he makes that hamstring damage worse by coming again too quickly, the Steelers may have an excellent larger drawback than his on-field antics.
A protracted-term hamstring damage to George Pickens may very effectively slam the door on any likelihood of postseason success for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
