Pickens returns after a three-game absence
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is set to return for the Christmas Day matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs after recovering from a hamstring injury. Pickens, the team’s top receiver, missed the past three games, during which the Steelers’ offense struggled significantly.
Offensive struggles without Pickens
During Pickens’ absence, the Steelers went 1-2, with quarterback Russell Wilson averaging just 6.2 yards per attempt compared to 8.7 yards per attempt in the previous six games with Pickens in the lineup. The Steelers’ offense also saw a sharp decline in production, managing just 167.7 yards per game without Pickens, compared to 271.0 yards per game previously.
AFC North standings tighten
With two consecutive losses, Pittsburgh (10-5) now shares the same record as the Baltimore Ravens but holds the tiebreaker in the AFC North race. According to Next Gen Stats, the Steelers have a 39% chance of winning the division, trailing the Ravens’ 61% odds. Pickens’ return is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the Steelers’ offense as they face the Chiefs’ formidable defense.
Injury updates
Backup quarterback Justin Fields is listed as questionable due to an abdominal injury, while wide receiver Ben Skowronek (hip) and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (knee) have been ruled out for the game.
A crucial game for playoff hopes
With the AFC North title still in play, the Steelers will look to Pickens to reignite their offensive production and secure a critical victory against Kansas City in a high-stakes Christmas Day showdown.
