The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten suboptimal production from their wide receivers. Now, they could be without their WR1 for two games.
DK Metcalf was suspended for two games by the NFL on Monday, a day after getting into an altercation with a fan at Ford Field in Detroit during the second quarter of the Steelers’ 29-24 victory over the Lions. Metcalf has appealed the suspension.
If the suspension is upheld, Metcalf will miss the last two games of the regular season. The AFC North-leading Steelers (9-6) visit the Browns (3-14) on Sunday in Cleveland and face the Baltimore Ravens (7-8) in Week 18 at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers need to win only one of those games to clinch their first AFC North title since 2020.
Metcalf has 59 receptions for 850 yards and six touchdowns in his first season with the Steelers. They acquired Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks in an offseason trade and signed him to a five-year, $150-million contract extension.
The Steelers expected more production from Metcalf. However, he has been double-teamed by defenses throughout the season because none of the other wide receivers have developed into consistent threats. The six receivers other than Metcalf have combined for 56 catches for 665 yards and six TDs.
Calvin Austin III is the Steelers’ starting slot receiver, but has just 28 receptions for 317 yards and two touchdowns. Roman Wilson has been inactive for each of the last two games, losing playing time to veterans Adam Thielen and Marques Valdes-Scantling, who have been added to the active roster this month. Still, Wilson’s 12 receptions rank third among the Steelers’ wide receivers, and he had 166 yards and two touchdowns.
Thielen has six receptions for 60 yards, and Valdes-Scantling has two receptions for 25 yards and one touchdown while appearing in the last three games. Ben Skowronek has four catches for 69 yards and a score, but is more noted for being the Steelers’ best special teams player. Scotty Miller also has four catches, gaining 28 yards.
On the verge of clinching a playoff spot, the Steelers need one of the six wide receivers to come up big. Are any of them capable? We’re about to find out.