May 26, 2022; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) participates in organized team activities at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers fans were furious when they saw the lack of effort George Pickens gave on a key play last week, and the wide receiver’s explanation will only add to the frustration.
Pickens made one of the most pathetic block attempts you will ever see on a running play inside the 10 early in Pittsburgh’s 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Jaylen Warren took a pitch from the 7-yard line and looked like he had a chance to score, but Pickens did not even try to block Colts cornerback Jaylon Jones. Warren was stopped just short of the goal line. You can see the video here.
Pickens was asked on Tuesday about the play. He admitted that he gave up on the block, but he defended the decision. Pickens said he was trying to avoid an injury.
“I was just trying to prevent the Tank Dell situation, the same thing that happened to Tank Dell. I didn’t wanna get an injury,” Pickens said, via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “When you stay on the block too long you can get ran up on very easily. All the people that’s questioning my effort, they don’t play football. They do what y’all (the media) do.”
The play Pickens referenced was in Week 13, when Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell had his leg rolled on while blocking near the goal line. He suffered a broken fibula and will miss the remainder of the season.
Tank Dell with what looks like a tough leg injury. Hate to see it… pic.twitter.com/jcCobx0TrW
— Dynasty Zoltan (Mike Garai) (@DynastyZoltanFF) December 3, 2023
Pickens is correct that he would have been at a higher risk of getting injured if he attempted to block for Warren. That is true of any play. It is also part of his job. There is no way his teammates or Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin would support that explanation.
Of course, this is the same Pickens who has looked frustrated all season with Pittsburgh’s struggling offense. That is totally understandable, but there have even been moments where he appeared to be sulking when positive things were happening.
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