Steelers WR Germie Bernard Expected to Do More With Michael Pittman Jr Out

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to need to see more from rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard after Michael Pittman Jr. was ruled out of Sunday's contest at home against the Indianapolis Colts.

Pittman, who the Steelers traded with the Colts for this offseason, re-injured his foot and is expected to miss multiple weeks. Amid his injuries, Pittman has played in three games and has seven receptions for 89 yards. Nor exactly the production Pittsburgh was hoping for when it made the trade. 

DK Metcalf is the leading receiver for the Steelers with 16 receptions for 213 yards and one touchdown. Roman Wilson has 14 receptions for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Outside of those two receivers, Aaron Rodgers has been targeting running back Jaylen Warren and his tight ends more frequently than the rest of the receiver corps. 

Pittman's absence opens up an opportunity for Bernard. The rookie second-round pick has been targeted just 11 times in his first four games. He has seven receptions for 60 yards. 

Per video posted to X by Mark Kaboly, Bernard said on Thursday that his preparation hasn't changed now that Pittman is out. He still trains as if he's going to be the starter on Sundays. While he's supporting Pittman during his injury, Bernard said he was "excited" to step into a new role for Pittsburgh.

With Pittman out, Aaron Rodgers will need to put more faith in his rookie receiver, something that has been a challenge in the past for the veteran quarterback. Bernard hasn't been a big part of the Steelers’ passing attack so far this season, but that could change against the Colts on Sunday.

Against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3, Bernard had just two receptions for 11 yards in the Steelers' 27-24 loss. Aaron Rodgers threw for 299 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He took five sacks in the contest. The running game only added 92 yards. 

The Steelers don't really have an identity on offense at this point in the season. Pittsburgh is set to play a Colts team that has won two games in a row. 

Following Sunday's game, the Steelers will play a currently winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers team on the road on Oct. 18 before traveling to play a 1-3 New Orleans Saints team on "Sunday Night Football" on Oct. 25. 

The next few weeks should allow the Steelers to start to find an identity on offense if they hope to get through a tough schedule in November and December.