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Steelers HC Mike Tomlin delivers bad news on George Pickens injury update

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens missed the first game of his NFL career on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Pickens was ruled out with a hamstring injury after experiencing some tightness on the injury Friday morning. The call to rule out Pickens was surprising, but medical professionals from the Steelers' staff deemed Pickens not healthy enough to play.

As Pickens is recovering from his hamstring injury, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin delivered an update on his recovery and current injury.

On Tuesday, ESPN NFL reporter Brooke Pryor tweeted that Tomlin said Pickens is doubtful to play this Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles and that his injury is more serious than the team initially thought.

"Tomlin says Pickens is 'doubtful' vs. Eagles, but there's a small chance he could play. Says George Pickens had an MRI and the hamstring injury showed up, appears to be more significant than initially thought," Pryor tweeted.

Don't be surprised if Pickens misses more than just Sunday's game. Sports doctor Jesse Morse tweeted on Monday that Pickens is dealing with a grade 2, moderate hamstring strain with a partial tear in the tendon. He said Pickens could miss up to three games with the current injury.

"Confirmed to be dealing with a grade 2, moderate, hamstring strain. This is a partial tear of the tendon," Morse wrote. "To think he was pushing to play yesterday is a bit surprising and if allowed to there’s a good chance he would have reinjured it to the point it was season-ending.
"These usually take 4-6 weeks (think Nico Collins, Mike Evans). Wouldn’t be surprised if he misses 1-3 more weeks."

Pat Freiermuth, Calvin Austin and Van Jefferson will have to step up against the Eagles if George Pickens is inactive

Van Jefferson (11) during Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers - Source: Getty
Van Jefferson (11) during Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers - Source: Getty

It sounds like the Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for a second straight game without star wide receiver George Pickens. Pickens currently has 10+ more receptions than anyone else on the team (55) and over 350 receiving yards more (850) than any of his teammates.

If Pickens is inactive on Sunday, the Steelers will need tight end Pat Freiermuth, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin and Mike Williams to step up. Freiermuth (five) and Austin (four) each have more receiving touchdowns than Pickens' three.

Freiermuth also ranks second in receptions (44) and yards (470) on the team. The Steelers will need Williams, Jefferson and Austin to step up in the receiving department as they are all under 500 receiving yards.

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