PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers will not have the services of wide receiver George Pickens in their upcoming game against the Cleveland Browns due to a hamstring injury. This development comes as the Steelers, currently leading their division with a record of 9-3, prepare for Sunday’s match-up against the struggling Browns, who sit at 3-9. Pickens was unable to practice in the days leading up to the game, resulting in his inactive status.

In their previous encounter on November 21, during a dramatic finish that saw Cleveland clinch a 24-19 victory, Pickens and Browns defensive back Greg Newsome II found themselves in a heated altercation. As the Steelers attempted a final hope play—a Hail Mary—Pickens tangled with Newsome, who had his facemask grabbed as they both crashed into a wall at the end of the field. This clash intensified their rivalry, especially after Newsome labeled Pickens as a “fake tough guy.” In response to the pre-game hype, Pickens downplayed the tension, claiming not to recognize Newsome when asked about their potential interaction prior to Sunday’s matchup.

Pickens has been a standout for the Steelers, leading the team with 55 catches for a total of 850 yards. Prior to this week, he had not missed a single game in his three-year tenure with the team. With Pickens out, the likely candidate to step into the starting role is Calvin Austin III, who is active for this game after recovering from a concussion protocol earlier in the week.

Head coach Mike Tomlin has expressed his frustration with the ongoing discourse surrounding Pickens’ behavior. Following a recent win against Cincinnati, Tomlin stressed the need for Pickens to “grow up, and grow up in a hurry.” This statement came after Pickens received two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against the Bengals, penalties linked to excessive celebrations following plays. These actions have not only drawn ire from coaches but have also led to additional fines from the league for the young receiver.