PITTSBURGH --Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III has missed over two weeks with a nagging abdominal injury that he suffered during the team’s Friday Night Lights practice.
Head coach Mike Tomlin has maintained that Austin is day-to-day. Speaking with reporters on Monday, Austin admitted the injury was nothing short of ‘frustrating’ and it is a nagging issue that he hopes to overcome soon.
Austin was seen working off to the side on Monday, a positive sign that he could return in the near future. However, Austin said it is up to the coaching staff and trainers when he gets back out there fully.
“Whenever Coach T pulls his trigger and talks to (head athletic trainer) Gabe [Amponsah] and everybody. I’ll be back out there,” Austin said.
Austin would not guarantee that he will play in Week 1 against the New York Jets, either. He said whatever the timeline is for him is what he will follow, and as of now, Austin is not sure exactly how the Steelers plan to roll him back into the fold.
“I’m right on point. I feel like I’m right on the correct timeline of things,” Austin said. “Whatever the medical staff and Coach T say, I’m going to follow that.”
The missed time for Austin is all reps he is missing with the starting offense, including new quarterback Aaron Rodgers. That chemistry has not been established just yet, as Austin has played just one week in training camp overall with the four-time MVP.
“It’s very frustrating,” Austin said. “I mean, (missing) practice, and you know, new team, new year. Not being out there is just never fun. Just trying to stay engage and locked in.”
In his place, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, and others have seen more work, giving the Steelers a chance to evaluate their wide receiver room without Austin around.
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