The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Calvin Austin III in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The speed demon from the Memphis Tigers may have been the fastest player in the NCAA last season. Austin got off to a great start in training camp but just prior to the first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, he was spotted in a walking boot, and he has yet to suit up for the Steelers.
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / Steeler Nation (Twitter JSKO_Photo)
Austin started the season on injured reserve and the Steelers activated his 21-day window to return before Week 5. Heading into the game with the Miami Dolphins, the Steelers are facing having to activate the rookie or lose him for the year because of the NFL injured reserve rules. Josh Rowntree, who reports on the Steelers for 93.7 The Fan, joined The PM Show/w Poni & Mueller Thursday afternoon and gave an update on Austin’s potential return to the black and gold.
“I’m becoming a lot less optimistic about Calvin Austin playing this week,” Rowntree said. “His window closes on Wednesday. I’m starting to get really pessimistic about him playing at all this season. I don’t know if there has been some sort of setback or what the case is.”
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / Steeler Nation (Twitter JSKO_Photo)
It would be a curious decision for the Steelers to activate and then not use the fourth-round pick who was impressing reporters daily with not just his speed in training camp but his hands. Austin often lined up outside in college and he is not just a gadget player, although the staple jet sweeps of Matt Canada’s offense might look a little different with the rookie racing around the corner. Steelers fans have bad memories of diminutive speed merchants like Senquez Golson and Dri Archer who Pittsburgh could never put on the field.
“I am less optimistic today, than I was yesterday,” Rowntree continued. “I can pretty safely say that, and he is not going to play this week. I don’t expect to see him play this season based on what we have seen in practice.”
The Steelers' offense has struggled to create big plays so far this season and a player like Austin with unique game-changing speed does a lot for an offense. The Miami Dolphins have Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle which may be the fastest combination of receivers in the league. The pair has wreaked havoc despite the lack of arm strength at the quarterback position for the Dolphins. Every time they touch the ball they can go the distance and while the Steelers have big fast receivers who are playmakers, they do not have game-changing speed like Austin.
“He has a foot injury,” Rowntree concluded. “We showed up at the stadium expecting to see him and I think a lot of people were looking forward to seeing him play. Just seeing him the last couple of weeks I thought there was some optimism he could work his way into a game. I am worried it is going to be a potential year long thing at this point.”
Pittsburgh Steelers 4th round pick, Calvin Austin III pulls in a catch during rookie minicamp. May 13, 2022, at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex / Photo Credit: Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review
Speed burners like Austin are finely tuned players and despite the desire to play, if they are not healthy enough to utilize their number one asset, a slower small receiver does not do the Steelers any good. If he cannot reasonably utilize his speed, then while disappointing, holding him out is the right move. The Steelers cannot afford to have the rookie get on the field at less than 100% and then turn a season-long injury into a career-ending one. Based on the current depth of the position, it seems silly to risk it. However, it likely kills the Chase Claypool trade rumors if he is in fact out for the season.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Do you want to rush Austin back and trade Claypool even if he potentially reinjures himself? Comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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