Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers News
Mike Williams Ready to Step Up in George Pickens’ Absence: ‘Somebody Got To’
Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams is ready to make an impact with George Pickens sidelined with a hamstring injury.
PITTSBURGH – The Steelers traded for Mike Williams in November to strengthen their wide receiver room and give themselves insurance if George Pickens were to ever miss time. Good thing because that time has come.
Pickens missed the Steelers’ Week 14 win over the Cleveland Browns after suffering a hamstring injury and now he is considered doubtful to play this week, too.
Williams is looking forward to the challenge of replacing his production.
“Somebody got to step up. That’s the main thing,” Williams said. “Somebody go down, another player got to step up. We all got a job to do. Next man up mentality.”
Williams made an immediate impact in his Steelers debut, catching a 32-yard game-winning touchdown against the Washington Commanders. However, he’s been pretty quiet since.
The 30-year-old went three straight weeks without receiving a single target, before reeling in three catches for 36 yards in Pickens’ absence last week.
Head coach Mike Tomlin has said several times that he likes the trajectory of Williams. On Wednesday, Williams reaffirmed the belief his role is on the incline.
“Yeah, for sure. I feel like I’ve been having some pretty good practices here. So just got to show up in the game,” Williams said. “Looking forward to this week.”
It remains to be seen how long Pickens could be sidelined with his hamstring injury, but it’s doubtful that the Steelers will rush him back with a spot in the playoffs nearly locked up.
The Steelers are also entering a brutal part of their schedule in which they must play three games in the short span of 10 days.
That alone could sway the Steelers to not rush Pickens back, but Williams also revealed playing three games in 10 days is nothing new for him.
“When I was with the Jets, we started the season like that,” Williams said. “So I’m kind of mentally prepared for it. Got a lot of massages, recovery stuff. Just got to stay on top of the body.”
It won’t be easy for any Steeler, including Williams, to get through the next three games fully healthy.
However, Williams has been craving a bigger role on offense and now he seems to be getting just that.
“Whenever you get an opportunity to go out there and make plays, impact the team, it’s always a good thing,” Williams said. “So I’m looking forward to it.”
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