DECEMBER 23: After struggling on offense without their No. 1 wide receiver, the Steelers are expected to have him back in Week 17, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac tweets. The Chiefs have managed to avoid several high-end wideouts during their march to 14-1 — Tee Higgins, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Ladd McConkey, with Tank Dell going down during the Texans’ Week 16 trip to Kansas City — but are on track to face the Steelers’ pass catchers at full strength.
The Steelers have slipped into a tie with the Ravens, at 10-5 apiece, and close the season with a Bengals team that may still be fighting for a wild-card spot. Baltimore will face the Texans and Browns to finish the year. With the Chiefs posing the biggest threat among that contingent, the Steelers having all hands on deck will be important to their hopes of winning the AFC North.
DECEMBER 22: George Pickens has missed the Steelers’ past three games, but he might be back in time for the team’s upcoming Christmas Day contest. Head coach Mike Tomlin noted the third-year receiver has a “real chance” to suit up for Pittsburgh’s game against Kansas City. 
A Grade 2 hamstring strain has led to Pickens being sidelined for the first time in his NFL career, and his absence has been apparent on offense. The Steelers have averaged 248 yards per game without Pickens available, a sharp decline from their season average of 325. With the threat of explosive passing plays diminished, Pittsburgh’s rushing attack has understandably suffered as well.
Tomlin named Pickens, along with backup quarterback Justin Fields, defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi, safety DeShon Elliott and cornerback Donte Jackson as players who missed yesterday’s loss to the Ravens but could return on Wednesday (h/t ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). Getting healthier on defense would certainly be a welcomed development as the Steelers prepare to face the Chiefs and Bengals to close out the regular season. Seeing Pickens return would help provide the opportunity for a turnaround in the passing game, though.
The 23-year-old established himself as a key figure on offense during his rookie season, and his production took a step forward last year. Pickens’ 63-1,140-5 statline demonstrated his impact in the passing game, and his 18.1 yards per reception average led the league. Entering the 2024 season as not just a premier deep target but the undisputed No. 1 receiver for Pittsburgh, the Georgia product has delivered when healthy with a career-high 70.8 yards per game. The Steelers were linked to several notable WR pursuits before and during the campaign, but the team’s only move on that front was the rental addition of Mike Williams at the trade deadline.
By losing yesterday, the Steelers failed to clinch top spot in the AFC North. They still control their destiny in that regard, however, and winning their final two games would guarantee at least one home playoff contest. Getting Pickens back in the lineup in time for a matchup with the 14-1 Chiefs would boost Pittsburgh’s chances of reaching that goal.
The Steelers have almost no chance of beating a good team without Pickens.
Their defense is porous. Joey Porter being out means very little—the most overrated DB they’ve had in years. Elliott may be back but literally everyone runs on that D-line
Meanwhile, with an average O-line, at best, a running game that’s inconsistent and really, just one receiver to worry about, would it surprise anyone if they end up 10-7?
they are not overrated they have had injuries diimbus
Do you watch the games?
Every running back they’ve played over the past three years has run through this line
Do you watch Porter? He may set a record for grabbing interference penalties
They got pounded in Philly, got manhandled in Baltimore. They have linebackers and that’s about it. Cam is having a good year
Do you watch the O-line? Compare it with other teams. Russ is almost always under pressure
Try to write like you have some semblance of intelligence and knowledge of the game. You sound like you’re in middle school
yeah i watch every single steelers game,
yeah Porter has a lot of flags – and its annoying, but he locks down every receiver, and it is a big difference that hes out
The o-line is average, your right about that, but theyve had injuries, Fautano, Frazier
Yeah, and steelers did get crushed 3 straight weeks, and super bowl teams dont lose 3 straight weeks in the most important weeks of the regular season, I think they win the bengals game go 11-6, maybe win at houston if they play the texans, but that would as far as they would go in the playoffs
Happy happy dance, do a happy happy dance. whooo hoo
Main Street is clueless. Having watched more than 2000 games over the last 50 years he either just hates the Steelers or is clueless about football. Their defense was missing 4/5 starters the last 2 games. No they didn’t look good against two good teams but saying their defensive line and backs stink is just plane garbage.
Just how many accounts do you have?
Following me around the site, it’s hilarious
No. I’m not interested. You’re not my type
And tell your wife to quit calling my house. Beefy girls aren’t my type either
He must be out of Tomlin’s doghouse now. Will he finally be the leader he needs to be? Will Mike Williams ever show up?