A week after frustrating game, George Pickens makes big plays in Steelers' loss

Chris Adamski
Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022 8:09 p.m. | Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022 8:09 p.m.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is defended by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey during the first half of Sunday’s game. Pickens had two long catches and made two other plays when thrown to a week after being held to one reception for 2 yards during a game at Atlanta and expressing frustration about it.

After a week of scrutiny following a game in which CBS cameras caught him expressing frustration during a one-catch, two-target stat line in a win at the Atlanta Falcons, George Pickens made some big plays in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss Sunday.

Pickens had receptions of 42 and 25 yards, an additional 11-yard catch that gained a first down to begin the fourth quarter and also drew a pass-interference flag that set up the Steelers’ first touchdown in a 16-14 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens.

“I was looking for George,” quarterback Mitch Trubisky said after coming on in relief for an injured Kenny Pickett. “Certain things (the Ravens) were doing, I was just playing within each concept that was called, trying to find completions, trying to move the ball down the field.

“I’d love to continue to get George involved. He’s a great talent.”

Big time catch by GP ????

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— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 11, 2022

The Steelers’ second-round pick, Pickens undeniably has talent that he has displayed in practices and in games during his rookie season. But four times over the first 12 games, he was held to one catch or fewer and three targets or fewer.

His expletive-laden mini-tantrum elicited a chat from defensive captain Cameron Heyward. But largely, teammates and coach Mike Tomlin downplayed Pickens’ displays of frustrations this week. Pickens did, too.

Against the Ravens — and with Trubisky in for Pickett — Pickens’ production picked back up.

“It feels good,” Pickens said. “That’s kind of what we preach on how the offense is. You’ve just got to execute those plays. Anytime you get an opportunity, you want to seize the moment.”

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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.