Calvin Austin III Out With Foot Injury Versus Jaguars

UNITY TWP., Pa. — The Steelers will be without wide receiver Calvin Austin III Saturday against the Jaguars, head coach Mike Tomlin announced on Thursday. Austin suffered a foot injury on the Friday before the Steelers’ game against the Seattle Seahawks. At first, he was in a boot, but he is now out of it.

Earlier in the week, Austin told Alan Saunders of Steelers Now that his foot injury is minor. He worked off to the side at practice, without the protective walking boot he had been wearing. As such, Austin seems to be on his way back, and Tomlin did not close the door on Austin potentially playing against Detroit on August 28.

In his place, the Steelers will get more reps for players like Steven Sims, Gunner Olszewski, Miles Boykin, and others. Austin would like to see live game action before he comes back in the regular season, but there is no timetable yet for his certain return. Even if the injury is minor, the fact that he has not practiced is going to hurt his standing on the depth chart moving forward.

Calvin Austin should be considered a roster lock, but he needs to get healthy and work his way back to be considered anything more. Prior to his injury, it was looking like Austin would be a key contributor on offense with his speed. The Steelers are likely hoping that Austin’s foot heals up soon so that they can implement his speed into the offense proper.