The Pittsburgh Steelers were already dealing with multiple injuries at wide receiver before this weekend. Then Saturday, the Steelers lost one of their rookie wideouts at practice.
Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora reported Saturday morning rookie Kaden Wetjen left practice to receive medical attention. He didn’t participate in the special teams drills, which he typically has done this summer.
About an hour later, Steelers Depot’s Ross McCorkle added a couple more details on Wetjen’s issue.
“The injury occurred at the beginning of today’s unpadded walkthrough practice at Saint Vincent College,” wrote McCorkle. “Since it was a shortened walkthrough, it’s difficult to say whether he would have returned.”
Losing Wetjen is not ideal for Mike McCarthy’s offense. Not after the rookie led the Steelers with 79 receiving yards in the preseason opener Thursday.
Wetjen caught a slant pattern from fellow rookie Drew Allar, which he took for a 74-yard gain in the third quarter.
The Steelers have a lot of receiver depth on their training camp roster. But with Wetjen, the injuries at the position are really beginning to mount.
Projected starters DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. didn’t play in the preseason opener. Neither practiced Saturday as well.
Brandon Smith sustained an injury in the preseason game and also sat out Saturday’s practice.
Steelers Lose Kaden Wetjen to Potential Injury
GettyRookie wideout Kaden Wetjen left Saturday’s practice with an injury.
Hopefully the Steelers have some good news on Wetjen for the team’s next practice Sunday. Until then, fans will be left to wonder if the wideout will be added to the team’s list of receivers sidelined with ailments.
The good news is Wetjen is suddenly a receiver the Steelers will miss if he is out with injury. Pundits have doubted this summer how much the rookie might have a role on offense. In college, Wetjen mostly just returned kicks.
During his preseason debut, though, Wetjen made the biggest offensive play of the night.
McCarthy’s biggest critic of the play to reporters Saturday was Wetjen didn’t score on the long gain.
“He ran the route and really the throw and the timing of the decision was a big part of that success. So I thought that was a really good play for him,” said McCarthy. “He needs to get in the end zone.
“That’s the kind of player we viewed him as when we drafted him out of Iowa. He’s young. He’s got some things he’s got to clean up. But, his job responsibilities, when we put him in space, we expect him to score.”
The Packers caught Wetjen at the 3-yard line. But he did catch a 5-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr. Not Ready for Return
GettyPittsburgh Steelers wide receiver D.K. Metcalf is dealing with an injury at training camp.
Pittsburgh’s more inexperienced receivers had an opportunity for more playing time in the preseason opener because Metcalf and Pittman sat out with injuries. McCarthy indicated that will likely be the situation again in Week 2 of the exhibition campaign.
“I think they’re going to be hard-pressed to work this week. Frankly, today’s work was a little bit of a reflection of our health report or where we are medically,” said McCarthy. “So hopefully this gives these guys, all the guys that have something out of the game an extra day to get their legs back.”
Both Metcalf and Pittman sustained ailments in Saturday night’s practice on August 8.
Coming out of the first preseason game, Smith had a leg injury. Team insiders saw him limping after covering a punt.
Smith has turned in a strong training camp while battling for a roster spot.
With four receivers banged up, it will be interesting to see if perhaps the Steelers add depth to the position. However, the team already has a pretty deep wideout group.
With the injuries mounting, other receivers Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Joaquin Davis, Max Hurleman, Jakobie Keeney-James, Cornell Powell, Ben Skowronek, Levi Wentz,and Isaiah Winstead could get more opportunities.
Steelers Rookie Playmaker Exits Practice as WR Injuries Begin to Mount: Report