Steelers' Mike McCarthy Is Announcing His Plan For The WR Position With Latest Stack Of Injuries

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense has looked much improved over the past three games. A lot of that has been because of Jaylen Warren being a one-man wrecking crew with the ball in his hands. With defenses being forced to focus on him, that leaves more opportunity for Aaron Rodgers to have time in the pocket and find an open receiver, or for these wideouts to get open in the first place. If that keeps up, defenses across the NFL will be forced to respect this unit once and for all. 

The Steelers will have to lean on the run game more in Week 6 and maybe beyond. Before Week 5, Michael Pittman Jr. was placed on Injured Reserve (IR). During the contest, both Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek suffered injuries and did not return to the game. That wide receiver room looked like it could be a decent strength, but there is practically no depth left in that unit. 

During his typical McCarthy Monday press conference, Head Coach Mike McCarthy gave an injury update to both receivers ahead of Week 6.

"Both receivers [Wilson and Skowronek] will not be available this week," McCarthy said. "That's the information I have so far."

Wilson was finally developing some decent chemistry with Rodgers and had spent a lot of the season working as the WR2 due to Pittman's injuries and struggles. While Skowronek is not seen as a serious threat in the passing game, the Steelers love having him on the field as a blocker, specifically with how he can get in and do the dirty work like a tight end. That helps open up the run game. 

McCarthy was also asked about the plan at wide receiver with those injuries, as well as Brandon Smith now being the WR3 with all these injuries. He gave confidence to the practice squad player while refusing to entertain the idea of bringing another wideout in.

"Those conversations [about free agents] are always going on, but I've known Brandon a long time, and he's definitely earned this opportunity," McCarthy said. "So we feel very good about Brandon moving forward, so he'll definitely get more opportunities."

Smith was called up in Week 5 to help out with the Pittman injury, and he ended up getting quite a few snaps during the second half once Wilson and Skowronek went down. He was only targeted once, but that play was called back due to penalty. With the current state of the receiver room, as well as McCarthy seeming to rather have him on the field than a free agent, he should get a handful of targets in Week 6. 

During that Week 5 game, Smith had some nice blocks, including one downfield that helped spring Warren for his 50-yard touchdown run. He will most likely be tasked with filling in for Skowronek with his ability to do the dirty work, as rookie Germie Bernard will have to step up as the WR2 and try to keep earning Rodgers' trust. For now, the 42-year-old is working with what the team has with no reinforcements coming.

Steelers Will Be Forced To Adapt On Offense Without Top Targets

While McCarthy prefers to have three wide receivers on the field most of the time, that just is not realistic with the current group of players that the Steelers have. They have thrived off of the multi-tight end sets in recent years, and that will most likely be Pittsburgh's base set until Wilson and/or Pittman returns. The offense ran that set quite a few times in the second half of Week 5, and it worked out well for the most part.

What do you think about the Steelers rolling with Smith, as opposed to signing any free agent receivers? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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