Schefter: Right Now Things Don't Look Good For Steelers' George Pickens

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been preparing for life without George Pickens, as it was recently revealed that he had a somewhat significant hamstring injury. The issue popped up at the very end of Thursday's practice before the team's Week 14 game against the Cleveland Browns, and he ended up missing that game -- despite being a limited participant that Friday. Whether Pickens plays in Week 15 or not, the entire receiving core will be expected to step up, especially against a dominant Philadelphia Eagles team that is on a nine-game win streak. 

During his usual weekly press conference, Head Coach Mike Tomlin previously described Pickens as doubtful for the week, but he would still keep an eye on how much he participates in practice, if at all. Through the first two practice days of the week, Pickens has been listed as a DNP (did not practice). 

While making an appearance on NFL Live, insider Adam Schefter reiterated what many other sources have said about the Pickens situation, including Tomlin himself.

"It doesn't look good right now. He didn't practice again [on Thursday]. Mike Tomlin himself has already called George Pickens doubtful for Sunday's game, and when a head coach is calling his player doubtful during the week, and he doesn't practice Wednesday or on Thursday, that tells you the overwhelming chances are he's not going to be in uniform on Sunday."

By all accounts, it's safe to say that Pickens will not play against the Eagles. His status for the remaining schedule is also uncertain, as hamstring injuries can linger around. Tomlin has repeatedly emphasized that he will cause "short-term misery" to benefit the team in the long run, and that could mean keeping the star receiver on the bench for the foreseeable future. 

The announced starters in the Week 14 game were Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, and Mike Williams. That trio will be expected to start again, with Ben Skowronek and Scotty Miller coming in to help run block and maybe catch a couple passes. Williams will especially be looked at, considering the Steelers traded for him to be yet another deep threat. 

Other Steelers Injury Notes

While everyone is talking about Pickens, there are a couple of other key losses on the team. DeShon Elliott has been the do-it-all physical safety that the Steelers have been looking for to complement Minkah Fitzpatrick, but he also has not practiced yet with a hamstring injury of his own.

If he is out, Damontae Kazee will slide into the starting spot at strong safety. The versatile safety fit in well as a depth option and spot starter in 2022, then struggled in 2023 before being suspended late in the season. If he has to play for Elliott, he will hopefully make some noise like he did in the back half of the 2022 season. 

Larry Ogunjobi has also been listed as a DNP with a groin injury that he suffered against the Browns. The veteran defensive lineman has been a subtle, but effective force next to TJ Watt. Like with hamstrings, groin injuries can linger for a while, so it would not be a surprise to see him also get the week off to heal up.

With the hardest part of the schedule starting this week, the Steelers can't afford these types of injuries. It will be interesting to see how Tomlin plays everything out with his big-time players. Does he hold them out until they are completely healthy, or will he rush them back to make sure they at least win the division? Only time will tell.

What do you think about the Steelers' injury report leading up to their game against the Eagles? Let us know in the comments.

#SteelerNation