Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is set to return to action without an injury designation for Wednesday’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Pickens, who has been sidelined for the past three games with a hamstring injury sustained in practice, will provide a significant boost to the Steelers as they aim to bounce back from consecutive losses that have left them tied with the Baltimore Ravens at 10-5 atop the AFC North.
Head coach Mike Tomlin expressed his excitement about having Pickens back in the lineup, highlighting the playmaker’s impact on the team’s offensive schemes. Tomlin emphasized Pickens’ ability to make big plays and create opportunities for his teammates by drawing attention from defenders.
“He is a splash playmaker. He’s a one-on-one playmaker. Oftentimes he controls schematics, which creates one-on-ones for others, or a light box regarding the run,” Tomlin remarked during a press conference on Tuesday. “But that’s what talented, outside people do. Not only George, but anybody that has talented outside people.”
At 23 years old, Pickens leads the Steelers with 55 catches for 850 yards and three touchdown receptions this season. His return is a welcome development for a Pittsburgh offense looking to regain its form against a formidable Chiefs defense.
While Pickens is expected to suit up on Wednesday, the Steelers will be without cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and wide receiver Ben Skowronek, who have both been ruled out due to knee and hip injuries, respectively. Quarterback Justin Fields, dealing with an abdomen injury, is listed as questionable for the game against Kansas City after being limited in practice on Tuesday.
On a positive note, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, cornerback Donte Jackson, and safety DeShon Elliott are all healthy and slated to play against the Chiefs, providing valuable depth on the defensive side of the ball for the Steelers.
The Steelers are hoping that the return of Pickens and the availability of key defensive players will help them secure a crucial win against the Chiefs, who currently boast a 14-1 record and present a formidable challenge for Pittsburgh’s playoff aspirations.
As the Steelers look to solidify their playoff positioning in the final weeks of the regular season, having a healthy and productive George Pickens back in the lineup will be crucial to their success on both sides of the ball. Tomlin and his coaching staff will rely on Pickens’ playmaking abilities to spark the offense and provide a much-needed spark as they prepare for a crucial showdown with the Chiefs on Wednesday.
