Ben Skowronek

Jefferson managed just two first half catches in a game played without alpha wide receiver George Pickens. Ben Skowronek also left early with an injury, leaving Jefferson, Calvin Austin, and Mike Williams to serve as the top pass-catchers against the pass-funnel nature of the Baltimore defense. It appears likely that Pickens returns to the active roster with a long week before Week 17, which could open up the offense against another tough opponent in the Chiefs.

Williams saw modest playing time even without alpha George Pickens and with Ben Skowronek departing early with injury, making it likely we fail to see useful fantasy scores emerge from the veteran receiver the rest of the 2024 season. Pickens appears likely to return to the active roster for a Week 17 showdown with the 14-1 Chiefs, adding to those expectations.

Skowronek was involved early, catching both targets for 25 yards, but departed early in the second quarter with a hip injury and was deemed questionable to return by the team. Already shorthanded at wide receiver due to the continued absence of George Pickens, it will be up to Calvin Austin, Van Jefferson, and Mike Williams to step up for a team fighting to clinch the AFC North against their great division rivals.

Calvin Austin took a huge hit to the head on the first offensive play of the game for the Steelers but remained in the game. He caught both of his subsequent targets for 29 yards and a touchdown before taking another huge hit near the sideline on the final drive of the first half. That second hit appeared to be enough to have gotten him sent for an evaluation and he will not return to the game. That will likely mean more work for Van Jefferson, Cordarelle Patterson, and Ben Skowronek.