Steelers coach Mike Tomlin yesterday took the very unusual step of making himself available to the media, with the specific intention of speaking about wide receiver George Pickens’ behavior in recent weeks. Pickens has had a poor season on the field, where he has pouted and complained about not getting the ball enough, and he’s been equally bad in his public persona, coming off as petulant and immature. He touched off another media frenzy this week when he admitted he didn’t try to block a Colts defender last Saturday as Jaylen Warren was trying to score a touchdown because, Pickens, said, he didn’t want to get injured. Warren was tackled at the one-yard line.
Tomlin says Pickens is “very much a work in progress,” and he never used the injury excuse when talking with the coaching staff.
Tomlin says the Steelers organization has been working with Pickens to help him mature.
At practice yesterday, quarterback Kenny Pickett had “a good day”, according to Tomlin, and he said today would be “a big day” in evaluating whether or not Pickett will be available on Saturday against the Bengals. Practice video showed Mason Rudolph taking snaps first with Pickett second in line.
Safety Trenton Thompson remained out after suffering a neck stinger last week. Injured Steelers Cam Heyward, Pat Freiermuth, Najee Harris, Elijah Riley, and Broderick Jones were upgraded to full participation, Isaac Seumalo was limited.
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