The Steelers were at home in Week 14 for their second matchup of the season vs. the Browns. Pittsburgh won the game 24-17 and improved to 10-3. They are 7-1 in their last eight games. Against Cleveland in Week 14, the Steelers were without WR George Pickens.
He was ruled out with a hamstring injury and that limited Russell Wilson’s explosiveness as a passer. On Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that Pickens’ hamstring is worse than it appeared. Head coach Mike Tomlin said that Pickens could theoretically play but is described as “doubtful” to play in Week 15 against the Eagles. Pittsburgh is thinking about the bigger picture and wants to protect Pickens so he’s available in the postseason.
George Pickens is likely out in Week 15 for the Steelers
#Steelers coach Mike Tomlin tells reporters that while George Pickens (hamstring) could theoretically play this week, he’s best described as doubtful. The hamstring a bit worse than it appeared.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 10, 2024
With a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, the Steelers selected George Pickens out of Georgia. In each of his first two seasons for Pittsburgh, Pickens played in all 17 games. The 23-year-old will not accomplish that feat in 2024 after he missed Week 14. There’s a chance that Pickens will miss two games in a row for the first time in his professional career. Through 12 games in 2024, Pickens has 55 catches for 850 yards and three touchdowns.
For the first six games of the season, Justin Fields was the QB for Pittsburgh. Pickens averaged (60.2) receiving yards per game with Fields as the starter. He had zero touchdowns. In six games with Russell Wilson, Pickens is averaging (81.2) receiving yards per game and has three touchdowns. The young WR has shined with Wilson under center. Pickens is a big-play receiver and Wilson loves to throw the deep ball. It’s a match made in heaven. However, Pickens was out in Week 14 and chances are he misses Week 15 as well. He is dealing with a hamstring injury and the team won’t risk losing him long-term. If he needs to sit out another week, Pittsburgh will let that happen. The Steelers are on the road this weekend to face the Eagles.
