Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers were excited when the team selected two wide receivers with awesome potential in George Pickens and Calvin Austin III in the 2022 NFL Draft. Pickens has shown flashes of becoming a future star, but there has been a very little sample size for the fourth rounder in Austin. He suffered a foot injury just days before the organization's first preseason game in August and was placed on IR to begin the regular season. His 21-day window to be activated began in early October and it was announced last week that he would not be activated and his 2022 season was over before it even began.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Calvin Austin III (#19) participates during training camp at the team's South Side facility. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
The rookie went to Instagram on Tuesday and posted a photo of himself in a hospital bed with a bandage around his foot. He made sure that fans knew he was ready to begin the road to recovery after a successful surgery.
"His timing, not mine. Appreciate all the prayers and texts, and Dr. O'Malley and his team for taking care of me! SteelerNation imma be back, I love adversity."
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Comments trickled in from certain players including quarterback Kenny Pickett and wide receiver, Steven Sims. The rookie quarterback was short and to the point, telling him to work back slowly.
"One day at a time brother."
Sims, who could potentially compete with Austin III for the team's kick and punt returning duties next season simple wrote, 'God bless brotha.' Safety, Marcus Allen also chimed in with a few prayer emojis.
Austin III had 156 receptions that went for 2,541 yards and 22 touchdowns in college at the University of Memphis. He also had eight carries for 169 yards and three touchdowns. He ran a blazing 4.32 40-yard dash and after the Steelers traded Chase Claypool on Tuesday to the Chicago Bears, a quick and efficient recovery for the rookie will be critical as he has a wide open opportunity in 2023 to be the team's #3 receiver.
Are you looking forward to following Austin's recovery and watching him play competitive NFL football next year? Let us know in the comments below!
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