It might be a Merry Christmas for WR George Pickens and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He will miss three consecutive games due to a hamstring injury, but NFL reporter Albert Breer said the team expects him to return for Pittsburgh’s Week 17 game against the Kansas City Chiefs in five days. “I’m optimistic,” he said.
“He was running and the doctors tried to help him,” Breer said on Amazon Video after Thursday night’s game, referring to Saturday’s game. “In the end, that didn’t happen. He won’t play, but they’re optimistic he’ll be available for the game against Chiefs on Christmas.
Despite Tuesday and Wednesday’s sessions being light walk-throughs, Pickens was listed as a DNP in all three of the team’s practices this week. But as Breer pointed out and reporters showed during the week, Pickens practiced on the side and was at times moving at near full speed through practice and side work.
Without Pickens, the Steelers’ passing game will predictably struggle. QB Russell Wilson was held to less than 160 passing yards in both games without him, his offense’s 20+ yard completions decreased by more than 1 yard per game, and Wilson’s YPA went from one of the best in the NFL. It dropped by nearly 3 yards. In weeks 14 and 15, it was in the bottom third.
Pittsburgh’s offense hit rock bottom against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, allowing just 163 yards of total offense and holding the ball for just 20 minutes in a 27-13 loss.
The team may be optimistic, but it will be tough for Pickens to return to action. Pittsburgh will have little practice time after Saturday’s game against the Ravens, and will likely only get one full day of practice before Wednesday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Pickens needs to prove that he can survive the game and that he doesn’t have any residual effects that would jeopardize his postseason appearance.
Having Pickens in the Chiefs game would boost the odds significantly, and the Chiefs having WR Hollywood Brown back after missing all season with a shoulder injury is comparable and frankly better. Dew. He is scheduled to make his 2024 debut Saturday against the Houston Texans.
Pittsburgh was initially optimistic about Pickens after he suffered a hamstring injury before a game against the Cleveland Browns. Now, Pickens will miss Game 3. Hopefully the team’s optimism will put them in a better position this time. If not, they’ll be gearing up for the final regular-season game against the Cincinnati Bengals, a team whose playoff hopes are still intact after Thursday night’s loss to the Denver Broncos.
