The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without one of their starting receivers for their season opener against the Washington Redskins on Monday night. Markus Wheaton‘s injury has him ruled out, along with three others, for Monday night’s game.
Markus Wheaton’s Injury Has Him Ruled Out Against Washington Redskins
Team reporter Ed Bouchette announced the fourth-year receiver missed practice on Saturday due to a right shoulder injury. Before practice the 25-year-old wideout was listed as “day-to-day.” However, severe soreness in his shoulder is holding him out.
Wheaton’s preseason was derailed by injury. He missed the first two games and sat out the fourth because of undisclosed injuries.
Without Wheaton in the lineup, who starts opposite of All-Pro Antonio Brown, the Steelers offense will look very different from last season.
In the off-season, Pittsburgh lost their starting tight end Heath Miller when he called it quits after 11 seasons. His replacement, Ladarius Green, was supposed to fill the void of the reliable pass catcher. Green is now questionable for the season with foot and head ailments.
Also, Ben Roethlisberger and company will be without big-play receiver Martavis Bryant, who is serving a one-year suspension after violating the substance-abuse policy.
With injury comes opportunity. Second-year receiver Sammie Coates and veteran Darrius Heyward-Bey will split snaps in game one, while undrafted Eli Rogers will start in the slot. Second-year tight end Jesse James will start in place of the injured Green. Here is what to expect from the new receiving corps:
Coates, Rogers, Heyward-Bey and James New Roles On Offense
Sammie Coates
Sammie Coates is big, fast, and athletic, but he has been inconsistent. In his rookie campaign he rode the bench for most of the season. Coates appeared in only six games and caught one pass for 11 yards. This preseason the former Auburn Tiger’s ups and downs continued. He dropped passes, but made up for it with spectacular grabs like this. Due to his miscues, he lost the No. 3 position to Eli Rogers. However, offensive coordinator Todd Haley raved about Coates’ progression. He is projected to make a big leap (and plays) in 2016.
Eli Rogers
After being a second-year, undrafted player out of Louisville, Eli Rogers was a question mark just to make the team this season. Last off-season, the 5-foot-10, 187-pound receiver signed with Pittsburgh. Soon later, he endured a season ending foot injury which landed him on the injured reserve list for the year. After working effortlessly to return, his hard work turned heads this camp.
Roethlisberger said Rogers showed quickness and toughness, which helped the receiver earn both the starting slot receiver and punt returner positions. Rogers overtook the returner spot from teammate Brown, who has been mentoring the young pass catcher. The All-Pro, Brown, says the young wideout will have a standout year. NFL analyst Chris Simms went as far as comparing Rogers to Brown. If Rogers is half as good as his mentor was in 2015, he will still amass 68 catches and 917 yards.
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey, the seasoned veteran, has been a solid surprise for the Steelers after his lackluster years with the Oakland Raiders and Indianapolis Colts. As the fourth man in the receiving corps, he caught 21 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns in 2015. Last season the known speedster showed he still had wheels when he had a 66-yard grab. He’ll make big plays at times, but Heyward-Bey is a situational player. He is intended to share time with Coates in Week one, but should be relegated to the fourth or fifth option when Wheaton returns.
Jesse James
Projected to be the second man behind Green, Jesse James has embraced the opportunity. According to ESPN, James said he feels good and confident to be the Steelers starting tight end. Last year, behind Miller, he caught eight passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. James has sure hands and a big stature, standing at 6-foot-7, which makes him a good red zone target at the least.
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