The Pittsburgh Steelers’ revamped wide receiver room could remain shorthanded when the team returns to Acrisure Stadium for its second preseason game.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said injured wide receivers DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. will be “hard pressed to work this week,” according to Alan Saunders of Steelers Now, without providing a definitive timeline for either player’s return.
That creates an important situation for the Steelers with the New York Jets scheduled to visit Pittsburgh on Friday, Aug. 21.
Both Metcalf and Pittman were already held out of Pittsburgh’s preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, meaning their availability for the Jets game will depend heavily on how quickly they progress over the coming days.
With the preseason serving as an opportunity to establish roles and evaluate the bottom of the roster, additional absences would give players such as Germie Bernard, Roman Wilson and Kaden Wetjen another chance to earn meaningful snaps. Wilson, in particular, was expected to see an increased role with the veteran receivers sidelined but had only one reception for seven yards against Green Bay.
There is also a bigger-picture consideration. Pittsburgh does not need Metcalf or Pittman to prove anything in a preseason game if the medical staff believes either player needs additional recovery time. The priority will be having the two veterans healthy for the regular season rather than forcing them onto the field in August.
Still, another missed game would mean less time for Rodgers and Pittsburgh’s new receiving corps to develop chemistry in live-game situations. Rodgers did not play in the preseason opener, while rookie Drew Allar and the other quarterbacks handled the workload in Pittsburgh’s 28-9 victory.
For now, Metcalf and Pittman should be viewed as uncertain for the Jets game rather than ruled out. Their practice participation throughout the week will likely provide the clearest indication of whether they have a chance to return.
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