The timing couldn’t be worse for Pittsburgh’s offense, which has struggled to establish consistency in the passing game. Rookie quarterback Russell Wilson — brought in to steady the offense and add veteran leadership — will now have to adjust once again to a changing rotation of targets.
With [Player name] sidelined, expect a larger role for Diontae Johnson, who has been heating up in recent weeks, and rookie Roman Wilson, who could see additional snaps in three-receiver sets. Tight end Pat Freiermuth is also expected to be more involved as the Steelers look to compensate for the loss of their outside threat.
Head coach Mike Tomlin addressed the injury during his weekly press conference, saying the team will take a “next-man-up” approach. “We’ve dealt with adversity before,” Tomlin said. “It’s an opportunity for others to step up and contribute.”
The Packers’ defense, led by cornerback Jaire Alexander, has been stingy against top wideouts this season, allowing the fifth-fewest passing yards per game. Losing a key receiver could make Pittsburgh even more reliant on its ground attack, spearheaded by Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.
For the Steelers, every game matters in a tightly packed AFC North, where no team has much breathing room. Sitting at [team record], Pittsburgh can’t afford to drop winnable home games — especially with the offense still working to find its identity under new coordinator Arthur Smith.
If the Steelers are to stay in playoff contention, they’ll need to find production from unexpected places. Sunday’s game against Green Bay might be the perfect test of that resilience.
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