Whereas Mike Tomlin hasn’t dominated out Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens for Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Pickens has but to be cleared by docs with the sport simply two days away, he instructed reporters together with ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.
Pickens says that he feels good, however the determination will come right down to the coaches and the docs and he’s nonetheless undecided if he’s taking part in.
He added that at the moment’s apply being a walkthrough didn’t give him a superb alternative to check his hamstring.
“We was actually strolling, so I didn’t actually get to totally go,” Pickens mentioned through video posted by Chris Adamski of TribLive on Twitter.
Pickens suffered a hamstring damage forward of the staff’s Week 14 matchup with the Cleveland Browns and has missed the final three video games. With out its No. 1 receiver, Pittsburgh’s passing offense has taken a step again, and there’s been hope that Pickens will be capable of return this week. Tomlin mentioned yesterday there’s a “actual probability” that Pickens will be capable of play on Wednesday and having him wholesome could be a giant increase for Pittsburgh’s offense in opposition to the 14-1 Chiefs.
He was a restricted participant in yesterday’s estimated damage report, which gave the impression to be a promising signal after he was a DNP final week. He did get work in off to the facet final week however by no means was in a position to apply and was dominated out forward of Pittsburgh’s Week 16 recreation in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens.
It seems that Pickens will play if he’s cleared, however the query then would turn out to be what number of snaps he would play and if he could be on a snap depend. However it all comes right down to getting clearance, which must come within the subsequent two days.
This season, Pickens has 55 receptions for 850 yards and three touchdowns and has been Russell Wilson’s favourite goal. Pickens has been the most important beneficiary of Wilson’s deep ball, and he’s averaging 15.5 yards per reception. With Wilson, that quantity is 16.8 yards per reception, and his manufacturing has been missed by Pittsburgh. Tomlin defined that defenses can stack the field extra with Pickens out and that it’s impacted Pittsburgh’s run recreation, so his loss has been felt all through the offense.
Tomlin additionally mentioned in his weekly press convention yesterday that he didn’t count on Pickens to overlook as a lot time as he has, and if he isn’t cleared, that point may very well be prolonged. With the Steelers already clinching a playoff berth, an important factor is having Pickens wholesome for the postseason, and with an prolonged break earlier than Week 18, Pickens might be able to come again for the Cincinnati Bengals recreation to get a tune-up recreation earlier than the playoffs. The Steelers wish to have him again on Wednesday, and we doubtless received’t discover out till Christmas morning earlier than the sport if he’s taking part in.
