A hamstring injury did something no one else had managed to do during George Pickens’ eventful three years in the NFL: it kept him quiet — at least for a short time.
Pickens missed his first game on Sunday, watching from the sideline as the Pittsburgh Steelers won 27-14 over the Cleveland Browns. The victory showed that the team’s receiving group was deeper than just their talented but sometimes challenging star player.
Instead of facing off with Browns defensive back Greg Newsome II, whom he had a heated encounter with in the last game between the teams on Nov. 21, Pickens sat out while other receivers stepped up. Van Jefferson caught one of Russell Wilson’s two touchdown passes, Mike Williams made his first catch in a month, and Scotty Miller played more than he had since September.
Though none of them have the same ability as Pickens, they made sure his absence didn’t hurt the team, as the Steelers (10-3) won comfortably. Wilson spread his 15 completions across eight different players, showing a balanced approach that is becoming more common for the team.
Miller, who had three catches for 38 yards, including a spectacular leaping grab in the fourth quarter, said, “Just knowing that it can come to you at any moment is a fun feeling as a playmaker. And it also means the defense can’t focus on one player. They’ve got to guard all of (us).”
Pickens’ absence was a surprise to some of his teammates. Tight end Pat Freiermuth found out when he checked his phone and saw a message from his dad telling him that Pickens wouldn’t play due to a hamstring injury that caused him to miss Friday’s practice.
After a rough start where the offense struggled and the Steelers had four three-and-out possessions in their first five drives, Wilson found his rhythm. Players who had been on the sidelines or further down the depth chart stepped up in key moments.
Wilson said, “We have so much confidence in everybody. We’re having fun, enjoying the process, working our tails off every day.”
Williams, who had mostly been a blocker or on the sideline for the past month, made a big play in the third quarter. His leaping one-handed catch for 20 yards set up Wilson’s touchdown pass to Freiermuth.
Williams said, “They was (winning) before I got here. So for me, I just got to show up and when I need to come out and make a play, make a play.”
This selfless mindset has been a big part of why the Steelers (10-3) have been so successful this season, surprising even themselves.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said, “The strength of the pack is the pack. We’ve got a bunch of guys that want to be the reasons why we’re successful.”
Pickens, known for his confidence, is part of this group, though he often stands out for reasons that aren’t always positive.
Since being drafted in 2022, Pickens has been in the spotlight often, not always for the right reasons. Recently, Tomlin expressed frustration with Pickens’ behavior, especially after the wide receiver earned two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in a game against Cincinnati. Tomlin said after that game that Pickens needed to “grow up, and grow up in a hurry.”
Although Pickens was listed as “questionable” before Sunday’s game, he was expected to play. His absence caught the Browns off guard.
Newsome said, “I was a little surprised. I mean, especially when you do a lot of back-and-forth talking and things like that.”
But despite Pickens not being on the field, the Steelers’ offense still found a way to win. For once, there was no drama.
Tomlin said, “We believe in our group. I know I’ve said that to you guys repeatedly. Maybe you’ll start believing me.”
