Brian Angelichio
Brian Angelichio
The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t have WRs DK Metcalf or Michael Pittman Jr. for their 28-9 preseason-opening win over the Green Bay Packers, and the two have been sidelined since the team’s Aug. 8 night practice. While the Steelers being without their top two receivers isn’t ideal, offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio is looking at it as an opportunity.
“I think with any team you need depth, and guys are gonna step up, so I think it will be a blessing for us down the road to have those guys get the experience they’re getting,” Angelichio said after practice today via video posted to Steelers.com.
Pittman and Metcalf’s absence has allowed guys like Roman Wilson and Germie Bernard to get more reps. While Wilson is the heavy favorite to win the Steelers’ starting job in the slot, it’s beneficial for him to work in multiple spots in the offense and just get more opportunities. The same can be said for Bernard, who will likely be called upon to make an impact this year, and Kaden Wetjen, who was a standout in the preseason opener.
It also gives more of an opportunity for players trying to make their case for a 53-man roster spot or a practice squad spot, like Levi Wentz and Joaquin Davis.
It’s a crowded receiver room and it’s going to be tough for some of the receivers down the depth chart to play well enough to make the 53. But the Steelers seeing what they’re capable of could lead to them sticking around on the practice squad and candidates to be elevated this season.
At this point, the Steelers more or less know what they have in Pittman and Metcalf and the two have had time to develop chemistry with the quarterbacks. Neither seems to be dealing with anything major, so it gives the Steelers a good opportunity to evaluate the guys further down the depth chart.
There’s still the worry about how sharp those two will be for the start of the season, especially if they continue to miss practice time, but there’s just under a month until Week 1. They should have plenty of time to get ready, and these past few days could help build more depth at a position where the Steelers have been thin the past few seasons.