NFL insider drops major George Pickens injury update ahead of Steelers' Christmas game
Pittsburgh Steelers wide recevier George Pickens sustained a hamstring injury in Week 14 before the team's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The injury has kept Pickens out of the last three games, as he most recently sat out of the team's Saturday loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Pittsburgh, being one of four teams to play on Christmas Day, have a short turnaround from their Saturday game. Despite the short turnaround, they are optimistic that Pickens will play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day.
ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter, who appeared on Monday's episode of the "Pat McAfee Show," dropped some positive news for Pittsburgh fans regarding Pickens' status.
Schefter said:
"It sounds like they will get some of those parts back, most notably, George Pickens. It sounds like they have a realistic sense that he has a chance to be back there. That would certainly help the offense and their season is on the line here, division is at stake, I think that they had hopefully that game in mind for Pickens to come back."
Head coach Mike Tomlin doubled down on Schefter's comment. Tomlin held his weekly press conference over the weekend, as the Steelers are gearing up for their Wednesday game.
In the press conference, Tomlin told reporters that Pickens, as well as many other players, have real shots at playing this Wednesday.
Pickens has been the team's top pass-catching option this season, leading the team in receptions (55) and receiving yards (850).
Pittsburgh Steelers-Kansas City Chiefs game: What's at stake?
Heading into their Week 17 Christmas Day matchup, both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs have clinched playoff spots in the AFC.
The Chiefs enter Wednesday's game as the No. 1 seed in the AFC with an NFL-best 14-1 record. The Steelers enter Wednesday's game with a 10-5 record, holding the No. 3 seed in the conference.
For the Chiefs, they can clinch a first-round bye while clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC with one of two things happening: Winning on Christmas or having the Buffalo Bills tie or lose to the New York Jets would give them the No. 1 seed.
Pittsburgh must win to remain with a higher seed as the Baltimore Ravens are right behind them for the division with a 10-5 record as well. If Baltimore finished the season with a better record, the Steelers would jump down from No. 3 all the way to No. 5, 6, or 7.