Steelers WR George Pickens Ruled Out vs. Browns
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) is a surprise inactive for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium.
Pickens was expected to dress for Sunday’s game, despite being listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. He suffered the injury late in the week and was limited in practice on Friday before being listed as questionable.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Pickens intended to play against the Browns, but after conversations this morning, the Steelers decided to take a long-term view and not risk the hamstring injury that he suffered at the end of the week.
With Pickens out, Van Jefferson and Mike Williams will pick up additional reps and targets. Pickens has been a key component of the Steelers’ passing offense this year. His 55 catches and 850 yards are more than double the team’s second-most productive wide receiver (Calvin Austin III, 22 catches, 383 yards).
This will be the first game missed for Pickens in his career. Pickens was figuring to have a spotlight on him in this game, regardless of his injury status, thanks to his comments both after the Browns beat the Steelers in Cleveland two weeks ago, and again on Friday.
Pickens was asked about Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II, who he got into a post-game skirmish with Newsome two weeks, whether or not he’ll try to talk to him before the game. He responded by saying “I don’t even know who that is.”
Asked about his comments about the Browns, he cited their 3-9 record. Pressed about the idea of giving a 3-9 team bulletin board material, Pickens shrugged it off.
“I don’t know what motivates them,” he said. “I’m just focused on what we can do.”
Kyle Allen (3rd QB), Cory Trice Jr., offensive lineman Max Scharping and defensive lineman Dean Lowry are the other inactives for the game. All are healthy scratches. Allen will serve as the No. 3 emergency quarterback.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
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