Pittsburgh Steelers fans will have to wait and see whether the team acquires a wide receiver at the NFL trade deadline. Regardless, the Steelers will be getting boost this month in their receiver room from injury returns.
That’s what team insider Gerry Dulac reported during a radio appearance to begin this week.
“I think Pittman’s due to be back after the bye for the Bengals game. I think Roman Wilson is one more week after Pittman however that shakes down,” said Dulac on 102.5 WDVE on Monday. Ben Skowronek was close this week, so with the bye, give him an extra week, he’ll be back for Cincinnati for sure.
“So, within the next two games, I think you’ll see all of them back.”
Dulac’s timelines for each receiver match when they could return from injured reserve. Pittman has missed the past four games on IR, so he is eligible to return for the team’s next contest.
Wilson has sat on IR the past three weeks. He will be able to come back in Week 11 versus the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dulac’s update comes at an interesting time. The NFL trade deadline is one week away, and the Steelers don’t play again before that.
General manager Omar Khan will have to decide whether the return of those receivers will be enough to boost the outside passing attack. If it’s deemed not, Khan could add another weapon in a trade before the deadline on November 10.
Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson Closing in on Returns
Pittman provided his own update similar to what Dulac said Monday. The receiver was positive about returning after the team’s bye but did caution that he won’t come back before he knows he’s ready to contribute.
“It’d be great to be back after (the) bye week, which is what I’d like, but I can’t go out there if I’m not effective,” said Pittman, via Steelers Now’s Brendan Howe.
Based on Dulac’s update, it sounds very likely Wilson will be ready right after Pittman in Week 11.
Getting back either could be a major boost for the Steelers. Those two were the second and third wideouts on the team’s depth charts entering the year. Without both of them, the Steelers would have a major hole at receiver if not for rookie Germie Bernard.
One would think Bernard will remain a starter opposite D.K. Metcalf. But Pittman and Wilson could fulfill a WR3 role upon returning. The Steelers haven’t had a competent WR3 on the game day roster since Week 5 when Wilson left with a finger injury.
Skowronek has been out since then too, otherwise he might have fulfilled that role. But even if Pittman isn’t quite ready for the Bengals matchup, it sounds as though Skowronek will be.
Skowronek is best on special teams, but he contributes occasionally on offense, particularly as a blocker.
In three games this season, Pittman has seven catches for 89 yards. Wilson played in five contests before landing on IR. He has 14 catches, 188 receiving yards and two scores this campaign.
Will Steelers Acquire WR at NFL Trade Deadline?
With those three wideouts set to return, the question entering next week for Pittsburgh becomes will the team also acquire a new receiver.
Pundits have linked the Steelers to multiple options, including Brian Thomas Jr., Josh Downs and Garrett Wilson. It’s not 100% clear any of them are available; ESPN’s Adam Schefter has repeatedly stated Wilson is not available. Additionally, all three could cost at least a Day 2 draft selection.
Any of those options would provide the Steelers an upgrade. They would also be additional depth in case the injury bug hits receiver again for Pittsburgh.
But in addition to those wideout returning healthy, the Steelers also signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling to their practice squad two weeks ago.
The Steelers could view their returning receivers with Valdes-Scantling as enough depth for the stretch run.
Steelers Nation, though, will have to wait and see. The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, November 10.
Steelers Get WR Injury Update 1 Week Before NFL Trade Deadline