The Pittsburgh Steelers could be without one of their top receiving options in Week 6. Calvin Austin lll suffered a shoulder injury against the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland and was unable to return in the matchup. Austin is a talented receiver that would certainly be missed if he is sidelined and veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers may have to turn to other playmakers in hopes of replicating Austin's production.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) holds onto a football and runs as the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Austin has been a very solid second option behind DK Metcalf throughout the early stages of 2025 out wide. The playmaker has made a number of big plays prior to the bye week and replicating his production may not be an easy task. Steelers insider Brian Batko recently shared an update on Austin's injury, as the reporter revealed the receiver is taking things one day at a time. Batko also mentioned Austin's uncertainty surrounding the injury, as the young playmaker was unsure whether or not a trip to the injured reserve list would be necessary.
Steelers WR Calvin Austin III said he’s not sure if injured reserve is a possibility for him with his shoulder injury but he’s trusting the plan from the team, taking it one day at a time as he did with his oblique in the preseason.
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) October 6, 2025
Rodgers could turn to a number of different playmakers should Austin miss an extended period of time. Batko's update is certainly concerning as Austin taking a trip to the injured reserve list would be a brutal blow to the Steelers' offense as a whole. Austin dealt with an oblique injury throughout the majority of the preseason as well, so going another multiple weeks without his services could be costly.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin Ill (19) during a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, on Saturday August 9, 2025 in Jacksonville, FL.
Austin is currently in the final year of his rookie contract. 2025 is undoubtedly one of the most crucial seasons of the young receivers career, and Austin will need to play at a very high level prior to becoming a free agent over the offseason. The Steelers' offense could turn to a mix of veterans and young players in hopes of replicating Austin's production on Sunday, but his status surrounding a trip to the injured reserve list currently remains unknown.
Steelers' Ben Skowronek And Scotty Miller Could Have Expanded Roles If Austin Is Sidelined
Scotty Miller is a talented veteran who saw extended time on offense when Austin went down in Ireland. Miller currently does not have a catch on the year, but he could quickly find himself in prime position for an increase in targets on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Austin's injury could allow for Miller to see much more playing time in the near future as the veteran may emerge as another weapon for Rodgers to work with.
Ben Skowronek has spent the past two seasons in Pittsburgh. The five-year veteran is another top candidate to receive an increased workload if Austin is sidelined and Skowronek could quickly emerge as a solid option should he get the ball more consistently. He also saw an increase in snaps in Week 4 with Austin out, and he was the beneficiary of a touchdown catch from Rodgers in Week 1.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek walks on the field as the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Batko's update on Austin's injury is very unfortunate to hear. More details are soon to follow this week. The Steelers will have their hands full against one of the better defensive units in all of football on Sunday as Austin continues to recover from his injury.
Who do you think will step up if Austin is unable to play on Sunday? Do you think Miller or Skowronek could receive an increase in targets? Let us know what you think in the comments down below!
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