WR Calvin Austin could return from 2-game absence when Steelers face Packers

After missing the past two games because of a shoulder injury, Calvin Austin could return for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday when they play the Green Bay Packers in prime time at Acrisure Stadium.

Austin has not practiced since he injured his shoulder in the Steelers’ game against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin.

“He is scheduled to work this week,” coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly press conference. “We’re optimistic, and I know he’s optimistic about his ability to be included.”

Austin has caught 10 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns this season while serving as the team’s No. 2 receiver. In his absence, the Steelers have given targets to Roman Wilson and Scotty Miller. Wilson had three catches for 29 yards in the past two games, and Miller caught one pass for 9 yards.

The Steelers have made up for Austin’s loss by utilizing their tight ends. Three had touchdown catches last Thursday in a 33-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, with Pat Freiermuth catching his first two touchdown passes of the season.

“We’ve been talking about that since the beginning of team development,” Tomlin said. “We’ve got a deep, talented group in that space. They are all eligibles. They are positionless receivers — REC. That is the spirit with which we’ve operated all season.”

Ke’Shawn Williams has filled in for Austin at punt returner, averaging 11.4 yards on five attempts. Austin had just two returns for 9 yards prior to his injury.

The Steelers also could be close to having linebacker Malik Harrison activated from injured reserve, Tomlin said. Harrison returned to practice last week, opening the 21-day window for the Steelers to activate him. Tomlin also indicated that cornerback Cory Trice Jr. could be designated to return from injured reserve and resume practicing with the team.

In another sign of a player coming off injured reserve, the Steelers terminated the contract of practice squad quarterback Logan Woodside. He had been filling in as the No. 3 quarterback during practice. Will Howard and Skylar Thompson are on injured reserve, and either one could be activated this week.

Tomlin also confirmed that safety/special teams captain Miles Killebrew will miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery. Tomlin said the surgery was successful and that Killebrew will begin a lengthy rehabilitation process.

Killebrew is in his fifth season with the Steelers. He will become an unrestricted free agent in 2026.

“Our heart aches for Miles,” he said. “Obviously, he’s a significant component of what we do, particularly in the special teams space. It’s never one man, but probably a collection of men who have to step up.”

Jabrill Peppers served as the protector on the punt unit, a job previously held by Killebrew.

Tomlin said Peppers did a “nice job,” but added, “there will be no exhale there. That’s something that has to be earned over a long period of time. We’ve played a lot of football with Miles in that spot. He’s the quarterback of the punt team. That has our attention as we work to fortify our spaces where he was an asset for us.”