Mike Tomlin Reveals Why George Pickens Was Inactive vs. Browns
PITTSBURGH — Following Sunday’s 27-14 win over the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin explained why star wide receiver George Pickens was held out of the contest.
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.
“[George Pickens] was listed as questionable, we didn’t feel like he was gonna be able to play the type of number of snaps that we thought was worth putting him in an uniform, to be quite honest with you,” Tomlin said. “We didn’t want a small problem to become a big problem, so we put Scotty Miller in a helmet.”
Tomlin said it was too early to speculate when asked if Pickens will be available for next Sunday’s big game against the 11-2 Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
Tomlin praised the secondary Steelers wide receivers for stepping up in Pickens’ absence. Scotty Miller had 21-yard reception, while Mike Williams snagged a 22-yarder. Van Jefferson also caught a 10-yard touchdown from Russell Wilson.
“It’s what we’ve been discovering or re-discovering throughout every component of this process,” Tomlin said when asked about what he found out about the wide receiver corps without Pickens. “You guys were asking about our lack of quote, unquote ‘No. 2’ during team development. The guys made plays. Whoever we throw the ball to makes plays. The strength of the pack is the pack. We got a bunch of guys that want to be the reason why we’re successful. And when given the opportunity, I they continually prove that. Whether it’s Scotty or Mike or Calvin or Van. We believe in our group, I know I’ve said that repeatedly. Maybe you’ll start believing me.”
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Alan Saunders, Aaron Becker and Brenden Howe provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
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