Even if the Pittsburgh Steelers have not faced the best competition recently, their four-game win streak is still very impressive. One of the biggest things to note with this team is just how consistent it is on multiple fronts: primarily the run game on both offense and defense. The hope is that they can keep this momentum up through the Week 9 bye and continue to play well starting on Sunday Night Football in Week 10. A win there against the Cincinnati Bengals will put Pittsburgh in prime position to win the AFC North.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson (14) celebrates with wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) and center Zach Frazier (54) after a touchdown during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium.
What makes this win streak even more impressive is the fact that they spent most of it without three wide receivers, including two starters. Michael Pittman Jr. has been dealing with injuries ever since training camp and was finally put on Injured Reserve (IR) after a rough outing in Week 4. Roman Wilson was placed on the same list the very next week, and Ben Skowronek has missed three games with a calf issue.
This has been a rough go for all three receivers, but one in particular is having a really bad time. In a locker room interview on Monday, Pittman spoke about how hard it's been ever since he was traded to Pittsburgh.
"I'd like to get back sooner rather than later," Pittman said. "Obviously, it's been tough, the most injuries I've had to deal with in my seven years. It definitely sucks to come to a new team and then be dealing with injuries, so I'll try to get back out there as fast as possible and prove to this team that I can be better and not just sit on the sideline."
Pittman went into more detail about his injury. He said that it just started out as plantar fasciitis, but it eventually became something much worse. It was clearly bothering him all throughout the season, even when he was playing. The recent trade acquisition missed Week 2 with injury before showing significant issues in the later weeks, leading to the stint on IR.
Pittman had three receptions for 58 yards in Week 1, showing off his ability to get open and make something happen. In Weeks 3 and 4, however, he combined for just 4 catches for 31 total yards. It's hard for him to use his high-end footwork to get open underneath when he has a major foot issue slowing him down, and it showed there. It didn't help that his lack of time in practice led to him and Aaron Rodgers not really having a connection.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) being defended by cornerback Doneiko Slaughter (19) during a 2026 training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
The hope is that Pittman can return immediately after the bye week, but that is still up in the air at this point. He did tell the media that he's been running over these last few weeks, and the receiver has been able to pick up the intensity each week. That is a great sign that he can eventually return, but there are still concerns about the true severity of his injury and how much it could linger, leading to more problems.
Steelers' Injury Updates Throughout The Wide Receiver Room
Skowronek's calf injury was not seen as significant, so this bye week should allow him to heal up and be ready to go in Week 10. Muscle injuries can be very finicky, so his workload will be something to keep an eye on, especially on special teams. Meanwhile, Wilson will have to miss Week 10 as he recovers from a dislocated finger. The hope is that he can return immediately after he misses the fourth game, but that's to be determined.
What do you think about Michael Pittman Jr.'s tough time with injuries in his first year in Pittsburgh? Let us know on X and follow @Steelers_ChrisB for more news.
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