Category: Calvin Austin III

Calvin Austin on the ugly truth: There’s no replacing George Pickens

Calvin Austin discusses the challenge of replacing George Pickens and emphasizes the collective effort of the receivers and coaching staff.

Calvin Austin may be an honorary member of the George Pickens fan club, or he could be the most realistic man in all of Pittsburgh.

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Austin made it clear that when it comes to Pickens and his time away with a hamstring injury, there is no way to replace him with another Steelers wide receiver: “It’s hard to say anybody is similar to GP.”

Austin continued to shift the focus and pressure away from one specific player stepping up to replace Pickens, placing emphasis on the coaching staff’s ability to utilize all of the Steelers’ wide receivers’ unique strengths: “Everybody in the receiver room has different skill sets—different strengths—and the coaching staff knows that. They know how to put us in the position to be able to show that.”

Austin hit the nail right on the head—it will take all wide receivers and coaches to overcome the loss of talent that Pickens brings to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Report: Calvin Austin III ruled OUT in Week 13 against Bengals

WR Calvin Austin III has been ruled out of the Steelers Week 13 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals after multiple big hits.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ injury woes continue to mount. WR Calvin Austin III, who has been instrumental in the Black and Gold’s deep passing attack, has been ruled out of Week 13’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals with a head injury.

To kick off the Steelers’ first drive of the game, the speedy wideout took a huge hit from Cincinnati Bengals LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, resulting in a pass interference penalty. Austin, who is listed at 5’9″ and under 170 lbs, is not a big receiver by any means and needed time on the sideline to recover from the hit.

However, Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt once again delivered a hard hit on Austin following a routine catch, resulting in the Steelers receiver’s injury.

While Austin’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the wideout, who was in the midst of back-to-back impressive performances, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense continued to steamroll over the Cincinnati Bengals defense, with Russell Wilson carving up the opposing secondary in Week 13.

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Steelers’ WR named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week

Calvin Austin’s Week 8 breakout game put the NFL on notice, resulting in being named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Ladies and gentlemen, Calvin Austin III has arrived and is being recognized for his elite play in Week 8. Austin has been named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after his dynamic 73-yard punt return for a touchdown. 

With the score tied 9-9 in the third quarter, Austin knew he needed to make a splash play—and that is exactly what he did. After helping his team take the lead with his dynamic punt return, Austin continued to make his presence felt in the receiving game, hauling in 54 yards and two total touchdowns on the night. 

Can Austin keep the momentum rolling, not only contributing to the Steelers’ top spot in the AFC North, but also locking up Pittsburgh’s WR2 spot indefinitely? Only time will tell, but Austin’s fantastic performance seemingly leads to one simple conclusion—this is only the first of many awards Austin will earn during his time in the Steel City.

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Did Pittsburgh find their WR2 in Week 8’s victory over the NY Giants?

Calvin Austin stepped up in a major way for the Steelers in their Week 8 victory—potentially solidifying his position as the team’s WR2.

In the past decade, most, if not all, of the Steelers’ top receivers started out as dynamic punt returners. Steelers receivers such as Antonio Brown, Juju Smith-Schuster, and Diontae Johnson all were incredibly successful as punt returners, eventually blossoming into phenomenal receivers for Pittsburgh. One receiver from Week 8 seemingly had his career breakout game and turning point, as WR Calvin Austin electrified both the New York Giants’ secondary and special teams unit. 

In the third quarter of his team’s contest, with the score tied 9-9, Austin knew he needed to make a splash play. He proceeded to step up when the team needed him most, returning a punt 73 yards for a touchdown. He further solidified his position as WR2 when he caught a 29-yard TD reception from QB Russell Wilson, his second touchdown of the night. 

Much speculation and trade rumors have been made over the Steelers necessity of an elite-caliber receiver opposite WR1 George Pickens, but scoring twice on the night and accumulating 54 receiving yards on just three receptions should prove why Austin is the WR2 Pittsburgh has been looking for. 

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ESPN reporter believes Steelers’ WR may be traded by Nov 5th deadline

ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor predicted the Steelers could include WR Calvin Austin in a trade package for a more established veteran WR.

Brooke Pryor, a reporter for ESPN, provided a preview highlighting a potential move the Pittsburgh Steelers could make by the 2024 NFL trade deadline.

In this article, Pryor suggested that the Pittsburgh Steelers might package their third-year wide receiver, Calvin Austin, along with a late-round draft pick to acquire a veteran receiver.

Austin is entering a contract year next season, and the Steelers could benefit from finding teams interested in the speedy, dynamic wideout.

As for which veteran receiver the Steelers might target, that was left to speculation and interpretation. Several of Pittsburgh’s trade targets have come and gone, but one big name has been linked to the team in recent days—Los Angeles Rams’ WR Cooper Kupp.

Could the Pittsburgh Steelers avoid paying the hefty compensation package the Rams are seeking, and instead offer slightly less capital by including Austin in the deal?  Only time will, but it appears a possible trade could happen any day now, as other NFL teams are finalizing trades at a blazing pace.

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Is Calvin Austin’s last hope Russell Wilson’s debut?

Calvin Austin has not been given all the tools to succeed at the next level—until now. Can Russell Wilson help elevate the player to WR2?

Per PFF and the simple ‘eye test’, Calvin Austin has consistently ranked as one of the best offensive playmakers on the field, showcasing elite separation, speed, explosiveness, and catching ability. However, the electric third-year receiver out of Memphis has remained underappreciated and overlooked—until now.

At the time of the draft, the receiver fell to the fourth round due to concerns about his size at the next level, but many teams still viewed him as highly talented—including the Baltimore Ravens, who were reportedly set on drafting him before Pittsburgh made the pick.

In Week 7, Austin will face one of the best young corners in the game, NY Jets’ Sauce Gardner. Gardner once stated that the most difficult receiver to guard in college was Austin, so why haven’t the receiver’s stats reflected his greatness?

If anyone can elevate their receivers production, it’s the new Week 7 starting quarterback, Russell Wilson. This may be Austin’s last chance to prove himself as the WR2 when the Steelers take on the Jets in Sunday Night Football on October 20th at 8:20 PM EST.

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Steelers WR Calvin Austin III eager to ‘come back different’ in 2024

Calvin Austin III wants to be a guy for the Steelers in 2024.

Season number two was significant for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III. It wasn’t the second-year leap as it is for most players coming off their rookie season. Instead, it was about proving himself for the first time.

The speedy receiver out of Memphis sustained a foot injury in his first pro training camp, and he was sidelined for the season.

While he couldn’t play, Austin remained in Pittsburgh and soaked up everything he could mentally in team meetings and from the sideline.

“My rookie year I didn’t play but was in some meetings and stuff early in the season,” Austin told Teresa Varley of Steelers.com. “I was able to get the routine down. That way, coming into the 2023 season, I was already understanding things and familiar with the environment, everything from the game prep to the crowd, even Sunday Night Football. To get to experience that was huge.”

While there were high hopes for Austin’s first year on the field, it left much to be desired. He was utilized sparingly in the passing game, with just 17 receptions on 30 targets for 180 yards and a touchdown. He pitched in 57 rushing yards on 11 attempts and another score.

“I didn’t reach some of the goals I set out for myself at the start of the year. But I learned a lot.”

Heading into year three, he’s hoping to make that leap that’s expected out of young players. Perhaps his first year was a product of the insufferable play-calling from now-unemployed offensive coordinator Matt Canada. It certainly would be wise of his successor, the newly-anointed Arthur Smith, to incorporate him more — take advantage of that blazing 4.32 40-time he displayed at the 2022 NFL scouting combine.

“It excites me this offseason,” said Austin. “I have a plan and know I want to come back different. I want to be counted on as a guy. That is where my mindset is. I know the things I need to do, the changes I need to make. Especially after playing a season. I have it all lined up and I think I will be able to reach those goals.”

The Steelers will unveil their new offensive identity in 2024. Though it’ll probably roll out slowly, as they tend to do, the process should be exciting to watch. And Calvin Austin is eager to play his role in it.

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