Steelers' Offensive Weapon Is "Not The Same Player" Since Returning From Injury

The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a heartbreaking loss at the hands of the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night. The loss was upsetting as Cleveland had just two wins going into the matchup, but the loss also exposed a lot of weaknesses and issues the Steelers may have. For starters, the personnel groupings on offense were bizarre. Mike Williams hasn't seen a target since his game-winning touchdown against the Washington Commanders, and another offensive weapon might not be fully healthy after suffering an injury.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith have used some very strange personnel groupings on offense. They have used certain packages that emphasize guys like Cordarrelle Patterson and MyCole Pruitt rather than the true stars on the offense. There has to be some rationale behind this, but it hasn't worked yet in the 2024 season. Patterson in particular has struggled since returning from his injury, and insider Ray Fittipaldo believes the injury has been affecting him more than is being let on which he spoke about during a recent appearance on 93.7 The Fan.

"I have no idea what they're doing with Cordarrelle Patterson." Fittipaldo said. "He's not the same player he was before that ankle injury. Everyone in that stadium could see they were setting up that sort of jet motion, wide reverse at some point. The Browns sniffed it out. They were trying to set it up all game, and you want to run that on the five-yard line? In a goal-to-go situation? I mean, that was awful!"

The use of Patterson in the loss on Thursday night was certainly questionable. He was originally signed as a free agent during the 2024 offseason, which was exciting due to his abilities when it comes to kickoff returns. It became evident early on that the Steelers planned on using Patterson on offense a good amount, both at running back and wide receiver.

Patterson has been a good player for the Steelers during some games earlier in the year, but it feels like the offense is now trying to force the ball to him in certain situations. There were two instances during Pittsburgh's loss to Cleveland that likely left fans scratching their head about the usage of Patterson. One came on a reverse down near the end zone where Patterson looked to run around the right edge, it looked like he had some room to run but didn't have the burst to get through any holes. The veteran lost two yards on the play.

Thankfully the Browns were called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the play, which gave the Steelers a new set of downs and put them half the distance to the goal line. The next questionable usage of Patterson came on Pittsburgh's second touchdown of the game. The score put the Steelers up one, so the offense remained on the field to go for two to make it a three point game.

Patterson lined up at wide receiver on the left side, and Russell Wilson threw up a fade route. The pass was no where near completed, and it was just a bone-headed decision considering Pittsburgh has George Pickens and Williams on the roster. Either one of those players would have been better to have in that situation. Patterson hasn't been a true receiver since the 2020 season, and it's embarrassing Pittsburgh is attempting to use the 33-year old in the way that they are.

Steelers' Cordarrelle Patterson Still Being Affected By Injury

Patterson suffered an ankle injury back in Week 4 and he was kept out until Week 10 when Pittsburgh beat the Commanders. The running back has looked slow since returning, and almost like he is missing the burst he had at the beginning of the year. Patterson was big for the Steelers against the Los Angeles Chargers and Indianapolis Colts earlier in the year, but the veteran doesn't look anywhere close to what he was to begin 2024.

What do you think of Patterson's involvement in the offense? Let us know in the comments below!

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