Steelers’ George Pickens ‘feeling good,’ hopes to play on Christmas vs. Chiefs

Though the walkthrough nature of the only practice of the abbreviated work week on Monday did not allow him much of a chance to test his tender hamstring, Pittsburgh Steelers receiver George Pickens expressed hope he will be able to play in the Christmas Day game Wednesday.

“Whenever you guys (in the media) find out,” Pickens said after practice, “is when I’ll find out.”

The media — and public at large — could find out as soon as when the league-mandated status report is released Tuesday. And if not then — Pickens could be given a “questionable” or “doubtful” designation — it will come no later than 90 minutes prior to the 1 p.m. Wednesday kickoff against the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

On Monday’s official injury report, Pickens was listed as a full participant — the first time that’s happened since his injury.

“I feel good,” Pickens said Monday, “but who will make the decision is the coaches and the doctors. So just whatever they tell me to do, I will do.”

George Pickens today at “practice,” which was just walkthrough style so he said it was not a true test for his injured hammy that’s kept him out the past 3 games pic.twitter.com/gnDRcwe2We

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 23, 2024

The Steelers have lost the past two without their WR1, though they did beat the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 8, three days after the hamstring issue popped up for Pickens.

“It was just more of a feeling,” Pickens said in his first public comments since his injury suffered Dec. 5 became public. “Hamstrings, you can do hamstrings however; you can do them walking. Just whatever the feeling is I felt like it got a little tighter so I just sat down.”

Despite missing three games, Pickens still leads the team in receptions (55) and receiving yards (850) and does so by wide margins relative to the team’s other wide receivers (they have 72 catches between six of them).

The Steelers have produced two of their four lowest-scoring outputs and three of their seven lowest yardage totals of the season during the three-game stretch Pickens missed.

“Obviously, he’s been our leading wideout (and) been one the better wideouts around the league the whole season,” Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said. “That certainly helps. You want your best guys out there if they’re available, and so if he can go, it’d be nice to have him back.”

Steelers WR George Pickens on coming back from injury Wed vs KC:
“Whenever you guys find out is when I’ll find out.” pic.twitter.com/rX28HEKWiE

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 23, 2024

For his part, Pickens did not commit to if he believed he would play Wednesday, saying only, “I hope so. Depends on how I feel.”

He said that if he does play that conditioning won’t be an issue after sitting out a mere three weeks.

“I think big part of it is his treatment habits. He’s done a good job of that,” said quarterback Russell Wilson, who has had three of his five worst game passer ratings of the season during the three weeks Pickens has been out.

“The training room has done a phenomenal job of getting him back. Also, the best thing about George, he loves ‘ball. You don’t have to worry about him being around football and him being on the sidelines and engaged. … He’s been great in the midst of his little trial here over the past few weeks. And so we’re excited to have him back — if that’s the case fully — and let him do his thing.”