DAVID GILREATHWide Receiver
Offensive coordinator Todd Haley had said some positive things about first-year wide receiver David Gilreath during the time the team spent at Saint Vincent College, but the Steelers were waiting to see him do something in a preseason game. Gilreath didn't play in the preseason opener against the Eagles in Philadelphia because of an infection, and so the game against the Indianapolis Colts was going to be his first chance to impress inside a stadium.
Gilreath didn't disappoint. He finished with a team-leading four catches for 78 yards, and he made every one of them count. He caught a 41-yard pass to convert a third-and-11 and then later in the same possession caught one for 7 yards to convert a third-and-5. That drive ended in a field goal that brought the Steelers within 24-20.
Then in the fourth quarter, Gilreath's 24-yard reception converted a third-and-16, and that drive ended in another field goal to get the Steelers to within 24-23. And then on the Steelers' final possession, Gilreath caught a 6-yard pass to convert a third-and-5, and the drive ended with the field goal that ended up giving the Steelers a 26-24 win.
Gilreath is the Steelers Digest Player of the Week.
Also considered were Daniel Hrapmann, who kicked all of those field goals – from 25, 39, 43 and 22 yards; Ike Taylor, who had one tackle, an interception that he returned 49 yards for a touchdown, and two passes defensed; Antonio Brown, who turned a quick sideline screen pass into a 57-yard touchdown and added an 18-yard catch that converted a third-and-11 in the first quarter; Mortty Ivy, who had two special teams tackles and blocked a punt; and Jonathan Dwyer, who started at halfback and led the team in rushing with 43 yards in eight carries.
