DK Metcalf was not in uniform Thursday for the preseason opener against the Packers because of an undisclosed injury, leaving the Steelers without one of the two receivers who had been expected to shape the start of their exhibition work. The absence came as Pittsburgh opened the first of its preseason games with a thinner passing group than planned.
That mattered because Michael Pittman Jr. also was out, leaving the Steelers' top two wide receivers unavailable for the offense on a night when the passing game already had limited help. Pittman missed practice this week with a right leg injury, did not practice Tuesday and was not spotted at Monday's session, while Metcalf was managing his own unspecified issue.
The timing sharpened the problem. Aaron Rodgers was not slated to play Thursday against the Packers, so the offense did not have the chance to lean on a live, full-strength passing look even if the receivers had been available. Instead, Wilson remained the No. 3 wideout with the first-team offense for most of camp, a reminder that the depth chart was already being pressed before the game even started.
There is still no public explanation for what is bothering Metcalf or how long it might keep him out, and that is what makes the situation uneasy for Pittsburgh. Pittman’s next chance for exhibition action is Friday, Aug. 21 against the Jets, but Metcalf’s return date has not been set, leaving the Steelers to wait on the health of a receiver group that was supposed to be a strength.
