Steelers May Choose To Hold Off On New Acquisition Despite Brutal Injury To Key Playmaker

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive unit just lost a major playmaker. Calvin Austin lll had to leave the stadium in an ambulance during Sunday's win in Ireland against the Minnesota Vikings. His arm was seen in a sling and he's expected to miss multiple weeks. Austin is a promising young receiver who got off to a very solid start in 2025, but the speedster will now turn his attention towards making a full recovery and getting back out on the field as soon as possible.

Austin currently has 139 yards and two touchdowns on the year as he has developed an excellent connection with Aaron Rodgers over the first month of the season. The Steelers will have a void to fill at wide receiver with Austin's potential long absence, but many believe that Roman Wilson and Scotty Miller could quickly begin to see an increase in reps. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo was asked earlier today about a possible free agency move that Pittsburgh could make, as Fittipaldo gave his thoughts on available wide receivers, Odell Beckham Jr. and Tyler Boyd.

Fittipaldo believes that a move involving either veteran is unlikely, but Boyd would be more of an ideal fit in Pittsburgh between the two.

"They might have to do something if Austin is out for a long time," Fittipaldo wrote. "But I'm not sure that either of those guys are the answer."

Fittipaldo continued to go more in depth on the topic, as the insider believes that Boyd's hometown tie to Pittsburgh makes him the better fit.

"Maybe Boyd would be motivated to play for his hometown team, but he's more of a possession receiver," Fittipaldo added. "Austin is quick and fast, so I'd rather them get that type of player."

Pittsburgh remains as an unlikely candidate to sign either Boyd or Beckham. Boyd had one of the most underwhelming seasons of his career last year with the Tennessee Titans. The veteran playmaker had just 390 total yards despite playing in 16 games, as Boyd still finds himself on the free agency market entering Week 5 of the 2025 season.

Beckham Jr. was an elite receiver throughout the first portion of his career. The veteran has struggled since tearing his ACL during Super Bowl LVI, as the past two seasons have been extremely underwhelming for the former superstar. Beckham struggled mightily during his time with the Miami Dolphins last season, and the former first-round pick had just 55 yards on nine receptions throughout the course of nine games last year. Both Beckham and Boyd could find themselves on an NFL roster in the near future, but the Steelers remain as an unlikely candidate to sign either veteran receiver despite the injury to Austin.

Steelers' Roman Wilson And Scotty Miller Could Have An Increased Role With Austin Out

Wilson is a young and talented wide receiver that could quickly make a name for himself with Austin's absence. A third round-pick in 2024, Wilson was a star at Michigan, but has yet to truly find his role on the Steelers' offense. The promising playmaker could quickly see an increase in targets moving forward as Wilson may very well emerge as an excellent option behind DK Metcalf.

Miller is a seven-year NFL veteran and was unable to make a major impact on Pittsburgh's offense back in 2024, but he could begin playing at a much higher level with Austin no longer on the field and his current connection with Rodgers in practice. Both Wilson and Miller may find themselves competing for additional targets with Austin officially on the sideline, as both players could have a key role behind Metcalf moving forward.

Fittipaldo's comments surrounding Beckham Jr. and Boyd do not come as a surprise. Pittsburgh has yet to give Wilson a true opportunity to showcase his potential, as the upcoming weeks will now be some of the most important games of the young receiver's career. Both Wilson and Miller could thrive in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns as Austin will now use the upcoming bye week to recover and get as healthy as possible.

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