Steelers WR Clears Concussion Protocol, Could Return This Week

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Gunner Olszewski has cleared the NFL concussion protocol, opening up a potential return to the Steelers’ lineup in Week 4, according to a report by Brooke Pryor of ESPN.

Olszewski suffered the concussion during his team’s Week 2 win over the Cleveland Browns, when he took a high hit from Browns cornerback Denzel Ward. Ward was not flagged or fined for the hit.

Olszewski fumbled on that play and also had another significant gaffe earlier in the game, when he fielded a kickoff that was going out of bounds, costing his team 31 yards of field position.

The 26-year-old former New England Patriot is in his second season with the Steelers. He played in 16 games and made two starts last season, catching five passes for 53 yards and running eight times for 39.

He started out the 2022 season as the Steelers’ primary punt returner but lost that job after a few games to Steven Sims. This season, he entered as the backup punt and kickoff returner, behind Calvin Austin III and Anthony McFarland Jr., respectively.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Gunner Olszewski in a game against the Buffalo Bills, Aug. 19, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Olszewski was also the No. 6 wide receiver, which made him a healthy scratch for the season opener. When Diontae Johnson and McFarland were both injured after Week 1, he was elevated to the lineup.

Without Olszewski, the Steelers played with only four active wide receivers against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3. Cornerback Desmond King returned kickoffs.

Johnson is still out through at least Week 6 while on injured reserve, and the Steelers have only rarely played with four receivers, so it’s likely that Olszewski will dress this Sunday against the Houston Texans, assuming he is healthy enough to do so.