The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles and receiver George Pickens has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
In addition, safety DeShon Elliott has been ruled out, also dealing with a hamstring injury, and defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi is out with a groin injury.
With Pickens out, it's up to the other receivers to step to the plate this week.
"We just have to continue to do what we have been doing," said Calvin Austin III. "Play football. Play for each other. All the values that Coach T instilled in us and just stay true to the values and the standards that we hold for ourselves."
The Steelers were without Pickens last week when they defeated the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium and have confidence in the unit as a whole.
"It's going to be the coaches putting us in the best position, and us taking advantage of the position that we are put in," said Austin. "Everybody in the receiver room has a different skill set, different strengths, and the coaching staff knows that and knows how to put us in position to show that."
Coach Mike Tomlin preaches the strength of the pack, is the pack. But at the same time, you have to do your part as part of the pack.
"Coach T says you can't hide in groups, so it is going to take the pack," said Austin. "But we've been like this since training camp, sticking together. But it's going to take individuals making sure they're honed in on their assignment. And at the end of the day, just make plays because that's the name of the game, players making plays."
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said the key with the receivers' group right now is adapting and being prepared, just like they were last week against the Browns when Pickens was ruled inactive shortly before kickoff.
"Obviously you adapt. It's the reality in the NFL," said Smith. "Sometimes you have contingency plans. That's why you plan ahead. If he plays, here's what we're going to do. If he doesn't, how many snaps, whatever it is. That's what you try to prep ahead of time so you're not scrambling an hour before kickoff. It's part of your job.
"When that happens, you adapt. Some things are by committee, some things you may not run. Certain things you change in your game plan. Certain things you change with that particular player."
Elliott's absence leaves a hole in the defense, especially his presence in the run defense.
"It's next man up," said safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. "We predicate ourselves as a defense that prides ourselves on smashing the run, so when one of our top run defenders is out, we've got to do that."
Without Elliott, the Steelers still have plenty of depth in Cameron Sutton and Damontae Kazee, who are both proven veterans.
"All the guys we have in our secondary, we've played a lot of ball together," said Fitzpatrick. "When a guy does go down, it's comforting to know we played a lot of ball with the next man up. There's not a lot of communication or lack of trust there."
The full injury report is below.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 15
Game Status
No. 14 WR George Pickens (Hamstring) - Out
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (Hamstring) - Out
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Groin) - Out
Friday, December 13
No. 6 LB Patrick Queen (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 14 WR George Pickens (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 18 WR Mike Williams (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (NIR - Resting) - Full
** No. 57 DT Montravius Adams (Knee) - Full
No. 67 OL Calvin Anderson (Groin) - Limited
No. 73 OL Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 81 TE MyCole Pruitt (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 84 RB Cordarelle Patterson (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting Vet/Illness) - Limited
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Groin) - DNP
** In designated 21-day window to return from Reserved/Injured List
Thursday, December 12
No. 6 LB Patrick Queen (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 14 WR George Pickens (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 18 WR Mike Williams (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 50 LB Elandon Roberts (NIR - Resting) - DNP
** No. 57 DT Montravius Adams (Knee) - Full
No. 73 OL Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 81 TE MyCole Pruitt (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 84 RB Cordarelle Patterson (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting Vet) - Full
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Groin) - DNP
** In designated 21-day window to return from Reserved/Injured List
Wednesday, December 11
No. 6 LB Patrick Queen (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 14 WR George Pickens (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 18 WR Mike Williams (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 25 S DeShon Elliott (Hamstring) - DNP
** No. 57 DT Montravius Adams (Knee) - Full
No. 73 OL Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting Vet) - DNP
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Groin) - DNP
** In designated 21-day window to return from Reserved/Injured List
Philadelphia Eagles Participation/Injury Report, Week 15
Game Status
No. 18 WR Britain Convey (Neck) - Out
Friday, December 13
No. 77 G/T Mekhi Becton (Rest) - Full
No. 11 WR A.J. Brown (Rest) - Full
No. 21 S Sydney Brown (Knee) - Full
No. 69 G Landon Dickerson (Rest) - Full
No. 8 S C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Rest) - Full
No. 65 T Lane Johnson (Personal) - Full
No. 2 CB Darius Slay Jr. (Rest) - Full
No. 19 OLB Josh Sweat (Rest) - Full
No. 32 S Reed Blankenship (Concussion) - Full
No. 98 DT Jalen Carter (Shoulder) - Full
No. 18 WR Britain Convey (Neck) - Full
No. 33 DB Cooper DeJean (Rest) - Full
No. 17 LB Nakobe Dean (Elbow) - Full
No. 1 QB Jalen Hurts (Left Finger) - Full
No. 89 WR Johnny Wilson (Illness) - DNP
Thursday, December 12
No. 77 G/T Mekhi Becton (Rest) - Full
No. 11 WR A.J. Brown (Rest) - Full
No. 21 S Sydney Brown (Knee) - Full
No. 69 G Landon Dickerson (Rest) - Full
No. 8 S C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Rest) - Full
No. 65 T Lane Johnson (Personal) - Full
No. 2 CB Darius Slay Jr. (Rest) - Full
No. 19 OLB Josh Sweat (Rest) - Full
No. 32 S Reed Blankenship (Concussion) - Full
No. 98 DT Jalen Carter (Shoulder) - Full
No. 18 WR Britain Convey (Neck) - Full
No. 33 DB Cooper DeJean (Rest) - Full
No. 17 LB Nakobe Dean (Elbow) - Full
No. 1 QB Jalen Hurts (Left Finger) - Full
Wednesday, December 11
No. 77 G/T Mekhi Becton (Rest) - DNP
No. 11 WR A.J. Brown (Rest) - DNP
No. 21 S Sydney Brown (Knee) - DNP
No. 69 G Landon Dickerson (Rest) - DNP
No. 8 S C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Rest) - DNP
No. 65 T Lane Johnson (Personal) - DNP
No. 2 CB Darius Slay Jr. (Rest) - DNP
No. 19 OLB Josh Sweat (Rest) - DNP
No. 32 S Reed Blankenship (Concussion) - Limited
No. 98 DT Jalen Carter (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 18 WR Britain Convey (Neck) - Limited
No. 33 DB Cooper DeJean (Rest) - Limited
No. 17 LB Nakobe Dean (Elbow) - Full
No. 1 QB Jalen Hurts (Left Finger) - Full
** Eagles held a walkthrough, Wednesday's report is an estimation.
