The Steelers’ passing game took a hit before they even got to Sunday.
Michael Pittman Jr. has been ruled out for Pittsburgh’s matchup with the New England Patriots because of a foot injury, leaving Aaron Rodgers without one of the team’s most important offensive pieces for Week 2.
Pittman made an immediate impact in his Steelers debut, finishing with 58 receiving yards and catching all three of his targets. He also ran the second-most routes among Pittsburgh receivers in Week 1 and led the team in receiving yards, which makes his absence impossible to ignore.
That shifts even more attention onto DK Metcalf. Pittman was expected to work alongside him and give Rodgers another dependable target on the perimeter, but now Metcalf is the clear name New England can key on, especially with shutdown corner Christian Gonzalez in the mix. That’s a tough assignment for a receiver who had drop issues in Pittsburgh’s Week 1 win over Atlanta.
If the Steelers are going to keep the passing game on track, they’ll need help from elsewhere. Roman Wilson and rookie Germie Bernard should see more action, and Bernard’s workload could jump after playing just three offensive snaps last week. Pat Freiermuth and the running backs are also available as outlet options for Rodgers.
The loss of Pittman leaves Pittsburgh with one less proven veteran in an offense still sorting itself out. And with Joey Porter Jr. also out, both teams head into Sunday missing key players as the Patriots try to avoid an 0-2 start.
In Other News...
Bills Perfection Buzz Puts Patriots In A Spot Fans Will Hate
Buffalos hot start has already turned the AFC East into familiar territory for Patriots fans, only this time the conversation is about something much bigger than a division race. The Bills are 2-0, Josh Allen is rolling early and some analysts are looking at the schedule and wondering whether this team has a path to a perfect 17-0 season, a mark no NFL club has ever reached.
For New England, the buzz is less about admiration than the uncomfortable possibility of watching a longtime rival chase history while the Patriots are left to react. There are still tests ahead for Buffalo, and the defense has already given up 31 points in each of the first two games, but the idea alone is enough to make the rest of the AFC East pay close attention. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Suddenly Face A Dangerous Problem In Steelers Matchup
Carlton Davis being ruled out for the Patriots home opener changes the tone of a matchup that already had some bite to it. A neck injury will keep the veteran corner from taking the field against the Steelers, leaving New England to sort through a secondary that now leans more heavily on less experienced options. The absence is especially notable because no practice squad elevations were made after the status change, so the Patriots will have to work with what they already have on hand.
It is a sudden complication for a defense that was counting on Davis to help steady things on the back end, even as the Steelers arrive with a key wide receiver also out. The Patriots still get the benefit of playing at home, but the missing corner creates an immediate stress test for a group that will have to hold up against a physical opponent without one of its more established pieces. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Nearly Lost A Receiver Drake Maye Suddenly Needs
Mack Hollins has become a more important part of the Patriots passing game in recent weeks, and his reworked contract offers a look at how quickly things can change around a receiver room. With injuries thinning out the depth chart, Hollins has stepped into a larger role for Drake Maye and the offense, making him more than just a depth option as the season moves along.
His comments about the deal, though, were a reminder that the business side can be just as abrupt as the football side. Hollins said he essentially had to accept the restructured contract or risk being released, and the adjustments raised the reception benchmarks tied to his incentives from the previous season. For a player whose workload has grown because of circumstance, it adds another layer to a situation the Patriots clearly could not afford to let drift for long. [Read more 🡒]