Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was simultaneously a non-factor in Sunday night’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and a national story.
Pickens, who took the field wearing eyeblack with the message ‘Always F — ing Open” inscribed on it, was held to just three catches for 26 yards in Week 5.
Thursday, Pickens had a bizarre explanation disputed the notion when speaking to reporters on Thursday that he could potentially be fined or disciplined by the league for the eyeblack message that was shown on national television by the NBC Sunday Night Football cameras.
“It’s just eye black,” Pickens told reporters. “Yeah.”
George Pickens Has No Answer For Pittsburgh Steelers Cutting Snaps
Perhaps more worrisome for Pickens and the Steelers moving forward is the fact that the star wide receiver’s snaps were drastically reduced on Sunday night and that there were several videos posted across social media on Monday that showed him appearing to show limited effort and barely running on some of his routes.
Pickens simply said “It was part of the game plan,” when asked about his diminished role.
It will be interesting to see if the Steelers take any disciplinary action with Pickens for the eyeblack or for his perceived lack of effort on Sunday night.
As Pittsburgh’s most explosive target in the passing game, it is difficult to envision Pickens’ action in Week 5 sitting well with head coach Mike Tomlin or quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, whoever will be behind center Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas against the Raiders.
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