Steelers continue search for winning formula at wide receiver post George Pickens | receivers

Diontae Johnson’s begin with the Carolina Panthers has been as clean as a rusty razor blade.

Through two video games, Johnson’s 5 receptions rank tied for No. 56 amongst NFL wide receivers. His 34 receiving yards are tied for No. 81.

Those stats, nevertheless, look worthy of the Hall of Fame when in comparison with the gamers tasked with changing him within the Pittsburgh Steelers offense.

Van Jefferson has three catches for 15 yards. Calvin Austin has two catches for 13.

It’s protected to say neither candidate for the No. 2 receiver place would commerce locations with Johnson, who was dealt so the Steelers may purchase cornerback Donte Jackson. The Steelers, in any case, have received each of their video games, whereas the Panthers have misplaced by 37 and 23 factors the previous two weeks.

“We’re 2-0, and that’s what matters,” Austin mentioned Wednesday. “We’ve done enough to be 2-0.”

The lack of a viable No. 2 wide receiver behind George Pickens hasn’t stopped the Steelers from opening with back-to-back street wins, one thing they final completed in 1999. Or getting off to a 2-0 begin for the primary time since 2020.

The pattern dimension is small, however below new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and with backup Justin Fields at quarterback, the Steelers rank No. 30 in complete yards and No. 26 in factors scored. The offense has produced one landing and relied on Chris Boswell to kick eight area objectives.

“It’s evolving,” mentioned Jefferson, the highest offseason addition at wide receiver. “There are a lot of things we can work on, get better at. We have to keep improving.”

Concerns concerning the receiving depth behind Pickens haven’t precisely eased because the Steelers put together to face the 2-0 Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. Only three groups have fewer receptions or receiving yards than the Steelers.

Pickens has performed his half, catching eight passes for 114 yards. But after main the Steelers with six receptions for 85 yards within the season opener at Atlanta, he was restricted to 2 catches for 29 yards at Denver. Penalties worn out a 51-yard reception and a 6-yard landing catch. The second infraction got here courtesy of Jefferson, who was referred to as for move interference.

“When you have a big play, you don’t want to negate it by having a penalty and having it come back,” Jefferson mentioned. “We drove down the field, and it was a big play. It’s tough, but it’s mistakes we can learn from and clean up.”

The Steelers entered the season emphasizing the run, and so they lead the league in speeding makes an attempt. Fields has helped in that regard, however when he has dropped again to move, he has leaned closely on Pickens — to no one’s shock.

Pickens has been focused 11 occasions in two video games — greater than Jefferson (5) and Austin (4) mixed. The different receivers on the game-day roster — Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek — weren’t focused within the first two weeks.

The perception is that so long as Pickens continues to attract double coverages, Jefferson and Austin will turn out to be greater components of the offense.

“That opens more opportunities for us,” Austin mentioned. “It’s about us staying consistent and being there when the opportunity comes our way.”

Jefferson is also stressing persistence. A number of performs earlier than he dedicated the penalty that negated Pickens’ landing, he drew move interference on a deep throw from Fields that resulted in a 27-yard achieve.

“Things are starting to open up for us,” Jefferson mentioned. “You have to run the routes that are called and the plays that are called and execute them to the best of your ability. All of us just want to win. It’s only two weeks. Stuff will start clicking soon.”

The receivers even have been restricted by the variety of tight ends Smith likes to deploy. Only 5 groups have used fewer three-receiver formations than the Steelers. Smith has used a number of tight ends on practically 58% of all offensive snaps, and the Steelers lead the league in variety of three tight-end formations.

“Whoever gets the ball gets the ball,” Jefferson mentioned. “There’s only one ball. It’s not like there are three or four out there. Whoever gets the ball, we’re trying to make plays. Whether the offense runs through the tight ends, receivers — whoever catches the ball makes the play.”

Help may arrive when rookie Roman Wilson is cleared to play after lacking the entire preseason and early a part of the season with an ankle damage. Wilson, although, was restricted in observe Wednesday, a sign that his Steelers debut could have to attend some time.

Compounding the state of affairs is the opponent this week. The Chargers have allowed the second-fewest yards and sixth-fewest passing yards whereas crafting their very own 2-0 begin.

Pickens, although, stays undeterred.

“We’re doing pretty good right now,” he mentioned, “by winning.”