Coach’s decision kept WR Markus Wheaton on bench vs. Bengals
PITTSBURGH 鈥� Steelers receiver Markus Wheaton was held out of the Sunday鈥檚 Bengals game while still recovering from a shoulder injury that kept him out for the most of training camp and the entirety of the preseason, even though Wheaton was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
His status was downgraded to limited on Friday, but he told reporters that there weren鈥檛 any setbacks last Friday and it isn鈥檛 anything to be concerned about.
鈥淣ope,鈥� Wheaton said. 鈥淛ust (Tomlin鈥檚) call. He just thought I wasn鈥檛 ready.鈥�
With his injury dating back to training camp, Wheaton ran with the scout team during practice last week but wasn鈥檛 prepared to make a full return into a game atmosphere, especially against a defense with the physicality of the Bengals.
鈥淚 honestly think I鈥檓 fine,鈥� Wheaton said. 鈥淚 just missed a lot of football. With that little bit of practice, it was any easy call for (Tomlin).鈥�
In Wheaton鈥檚 absence, the Steelers have received quality play from other role receivers in Sammie Coates and Eli Rogers. Coates has established himself as a big-play threat with four receptions for 153 yards, and Rogers has stepped in as the team鈥檚 primary slot receiver with seven receptions for 68 yards and a 9.7 yards-per-catch average.
The receiver situation casts doubt on Wheaton鈥檚 role once he does return and if he鈥檒l ever eventually step in and be the No. 2 receiver across from Antonio Brown.
鈥淲e hold ourselves to a high expectations,鈥� quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said after the Redskins game. 鈥淚 think people thought, 鈥榃hat are you going to do without Martavis? What are you going to do without Le鈥橵eon, without Heath Miller?鈥�
鈥淢y message was, 鈥榃ell, we鈥檝e got Sammie Coates, Eli (Rogers) and all the tight ends and DeAngelo Williams.鈥� We鈥檝e got guys that can make plays, and they showed up (Sunday).鈥�
Wheaton is in the final year of a four-year, $2.8 million contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent next off-season. Depending on the performances of Coates and Rogers for the rest of the season, and the possibility of Martavis Bryant making a return, the Steelers could decide to part ways with the fourth-year receiver.
鈥�(I need to) just keep working,鈥� Wheaton said. 鈥淧ut in the extra time when I can. Extra work when I can, and just build from there.鈥�