The last thing a playoff-bound team needs in mid-December is an injury to one of their most important players. George Pickens was a surprise last-minute scratch from the Steelers' Week 14 game against the Cleveland Browns, but the star receiver's injury is more severe than originally anticipated.
Pickens suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain and is highly unlikely to play against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15. The Steelers would be unwise to rush him back for this out-of-conference matchup.
In fact, they would be unwise to rush him back at any point this season.
The Steelers are sitting on a 10-3 record. According to ESPN's playoff predictor, Pittsburgh has greater than a 99 percent chance of making the playoffs this year. Essentially, one win in their final five games would solidify a playoff berth.
In a perfect world, we would love to see Mike Tomlin's team claim the top seed in the AFC and earn the lone first-round bye this year. But considering Pittsburgh's strength of schedule and the fact that they are two games behind the Kansas City Chiefs late in the season, this isn't happening.
If the top seed isn't realistically attainable, the next best thing is to land the number two seed, or at least claim the AFC North title and host a home playoff game. All of these would create desirable scenarios for the Steelers in the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs.
But what good is owning home-field advantage in Round 1 if you'll be hosting a game without your top weapon?
Steelers need to think about playoffs, not a strong regular-season finish
Mark Kaboly, the Steelers Correspondent for The Pat McAfee Show, recently wrote about how 'there's no upside to play George Pickens until he's 110% healthy'. I agree wholeheartedly. Soft tissue injuries are tricky and trying to return to the field too soon could result in a setback with colossal implications in the playoffs.
The Steelers can't take a fool's approach when it comes to Pickens' health. Yes, we would love to see Pittsburgh take care of business in a brutal three-game stretch against the Eagles, Ravens, and Chiefs. But these games would be daunting tasks whether Pickens is playing or not.
We saw how Jaylen Warren looked early in the season after dealing with a similar hamstring injury. It wasn't until recent weeks that the running back regained his full explosiveness.
Warren isn't the only example. Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans and Texans' WR Nico Collins both suffered Grade 2 hamstring strains that kept them out multiple games this season. Evans missed a three-game stretch in the middle of the year while Collins was absent for five straight games with his injury.
Grade 2 hamstring strains can take 4-6 weeks to heal completely. Ironically, this timetable would put us right around the Wild Card round of the playoffs. If Pickens were to attempt an early comeback and suffer an injury setback, the Steelers' star receiver might not be available for the postseason. Considering this team is looking to avoid an eight-year drought without a playoff win, this should be the last thing they want to see happen.
As badly as Mike Tomlin and company would like to finish strong down the stretch and claim the division title, their efforts will all be for nothing if George Pickens isn't available or is less than fully healthy for the playoffs. The Steelers can't afford to take a short-sighted approach with their top weapon.