All the Pittsburgh Steelers want for Christmas is a healthy George Pickens leading their team to victory over the Kansas City Chiefs — and the first part of that equation appears to be trending towards happening as of December 23.
“[Wide receiver] George Pickens was a full participant today,” The Athletic’s Steelers correspondent Mike DeFabo relayed on Monday afternoon. He added that this is “a very good sign for his availability on Christmas [Day].”
Along with Pickens, safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring), cornerback Donte Jackson (back) and defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi (groin) also logged full practices on December 23. The availability of those three will be key in getting the Steelers defense back on track after a rough outing in Baltimore.
On the flip side, DeFabo also noted that backup quarterback Justin Fields (abdominal) was still “limited” on Monday, while cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (knee) and wide receiver Ben Skowronek (hip) did not practice. Unfortunately, DeFabo did report that the Steelers are “preparing for [Porter] to miss the game” on Wednesday.
BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: After DeFabo’s update on December 23, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette insider Gerry Dulac confirmed that “Pickens is expected to play against the Chiefs, pending one final health confirmation.”
Steelers’ George Pickens & DeShon Elliot Both Have ‘Real Chance’ to Play in Week 17 vs. Chiefs
Earlier in the day on December 23, ESPN Steelers beat reporter Brooke Pryor said the following on X, live from practice: “DeShon Elliott, who Mike Tomlin says has a ‘real chance to play’ along with Pickens and other guys who missed Ravens game, was moving around well in today’s practice.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter expressed a similar sentiment about Pickens on the Pat McAfee Show.
“It sounds like they will get some of those parts back, most notably George Pickens,” Schefter replied, after being asked about several Steelers injuries. “It sounds like they have a realistic sense that he has a chance to back there which would certainly help the offense.”
“Look, [the Steelers’] season [is] on the line here, division’s at stake,” the NFL insider added. “I think that they had — hopefully — that game in mind the entire time for Pickens to come back.”
Simply put, all signs are pointing to a Pickens and Elliott return against the Chiefs.
Steelers WR George Pickens Is Hopeful to Return vs. Chiefs, But Admits Doctors Have Yet to Clear Him
There was one smidgeon of doubt that was reported on December 23, regarding Pickens’ availability — and it came from the star wideout himself.
After speaking with Pickens, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette beat reporter Ray Fittipaldo relayed the following conversation on X.
“George Pickens on playing Wednesday: ‘I hope so. It will depend on how I feel,’” Fittipaldo reported. Continuing: “Pickens indicated he hasn’t been cleared by doctors yet. ‘When you find out is when I’ll find out.’”
These Pickens quotes aren’t necessarily anything to get too concerned over, as doctors sometimes wait until just before a game to clear a player.
As of now, Pickens is going through the process of proving he’s healthy enough to suit up. A big part of that process involves logging a full practice, which the pass-catcher obviously did successfully on Monday.
Now he just has to keep trending in that positive direction with no setbacks. Hamstrings are one of the trickier injuries in football, and caution is typically recommended.
With that in mind, expect the Steelers to take their time and check every box when it comes to Pickens as we get closer and closer to Wednesday. But it goes without saying that things appear to be looking up.
