After missing the Steelers' Week 14 game against the Browns, fans were optimistic that George Pickens would be able to return to the field for a critical road game against the Philadelphia Eagles. That feels unlikely to be the case.
During Mike Tomlin's post-game press conference, the Steelers head coach explained that Pickens had tested the hamstring pre-game, but he didn't feel like his top receiver could play the number of snaps they were hoping for. However, Pickens' injury was worse than Tomlin let on.
We learned on December 8 that the diagnosis was worse than we feared. This wasn't a minor tweak that popped up on last Friday's injury report; it was a Grade 2 hamstring pull.
Now further insight into Pickens' hamstring ailment is even more discouraging.
Recently, board-certified Sports Medicine Physician Jesse Morse explained a Grade 2 hamstring injury in great detail in a post on 'X'.
" confirmed to be dealing with a grade 2, moderate, hamstring strain," Morse explained. "This is a partial tear of the tendon. To think he was pushing to play yesterday is a bit surprising and if allowed to there’s a good chance he would have reinjured it to the point it was season-ending. These usually take 4-6 weeks (think Nico Collins, Mike Evans). Wouldn’t be surprised if he misses 1-3 more weeks."
This is the last thing Steelers fans wanted to hear.
During Mike Tomlin's Week 15 press conference, the Steelers head coach labeled Pickens as doubtful but left the door open for a small chance he plays. Tomlin admitted that the hamstring injury popped up on the MRI and it appears to be more significant than initially thought.
George Pickens could miss multiple games during critical Steelers stretch
Based on the detailed description, the prognosis isn't looking good when it comes to the availability of George Pickens in Week 15 (and possibly beyond). If Pickens' Grade 2 hamstring strain is anything like what fellow NFL wide receivers Mike Evans and Nico Collins dealt with this year, Pickens might not see the field again until the end of the regular season.
In Week 5, Collins went down with a similar injury. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to suit up again until Week 11 as the hamstring ailment caused him to miss a five-game stretch for the Texans in the middle of the season. Evans was able to make a quicker turnaround, but the Buccaneers' veteran wide receiver still missed three games from Weeks 8-10.
Considering these are usually 4-6 week injuries, Pickens would be fortunate to return to the field in Week 15 when the Steelers travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens.
Pittsburgh's Week 15 game against the Eagles on Sunday marks the first of three games in 11 days, concluding on Christmas Day when the Steelers host the Chiefs. This is the most daunting schedule stretch of the season for Pittsburgh, and they could be without their top offensive weapon for all of it.
The Steelers need Pickens to recover quickly, but they can't afford to rush him back too soon. Pittsburgh is going to need a healthy Pickens in the playoffs this year. Let's hope this injured hamstring heals faster than expected.