The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to be without their No. 1 receiver, George Pickens, for a crucial AFC North showdown against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16, marking the third straight game Pickens is out.
Pickens initially popped up on the injury report in Week 14 with a hamstring issue, and he has not been able to practice since. The former second-round pick did some individual work this week, but it wasn’t enough to get him ready to play, as he’s since been ruled out.
Now, when it comes to Pickens’ status, we turn our attention to Week 17, when the Steelers will host the Kansas City Chiefs. Two reports offer different outlooks for the Steelers wideout.
George Pickens injury update
According to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pickens will “likely return” in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals, although he isn’t ruling out a Pickens return in Week 17 against the Chiefs.
“I didn’t get the idea that it got all that close,” Fittipaldo said of Pickens’ chances of playing this week. “He did more this week, obviously, than last week. I wouldn’t rule out Wednesday against the Chiefs, but I think probably still looking at that Bengals game regular season finale as the likely return for George.”
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer offered a more positive update, saying the Steelers are “optimistic” Pickens will play on Christmas Day.
“He is running and he did make an effort for the doctors to try and clear him,” Breer reported on Thursday night. “Ultimately, that didn’t happen. He won’t play but they’re optimistic that he’ll be able to go on Christmas Day against the Chiefs.”
While he didn’t practice all week, Pickens was seen doing individual work, so it appears he’s at least inching closer to making his return, which is sorely needed for a Steelers offense that has a suspect wide receivers room beyond it’s top option.
George Pickens at #Steelers practice pic.twitter.com/tuxV5YMdt4
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) December 17, 2024
The good news is, the Steelers have clinched their playoff spot already and are set to get Pickens back before the postseason. The bad news is, Pickens’ absence badly hurts Pittsburgh’s chances of winning the division.
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