Steelers Get Starting WR Back for Ravens Finale

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense hit its lowest point in their Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Down DK Metcalf and losing star tight end Darnell Washington midgame, their passing game was atrocious.

The Steelers' offense is desperate for any improvements in Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens, and it seems they are getting their wish.

Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III is set to return from injury. He last played during their Week 16 win against the Detroit Lions before suffering a hamstring injury. While he's been limited in parts of practice, Austin will be active for Week 18.

What to Expect from Austin

Compared to what they had in Week 17, Austin feels like a huge upgrade. The combination of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Scotty Miller and Adam Thielen has been wildly underwhelming, and the lack of playmaking is evident in Austin and Metcalf's absences.

Austin isn't a game-breaking player by any stretch of the imagination. He has 28 receptions on 48 targets this season, totaling 317 yards and two touchdown receptions. His most meaningful play came in Week 3 against the New England Patriots, and he's eclipsed 50 receiving yards in a game just twice.

Still, that's better than the rest of their wide receiving group can claim. The team's top-producing receiver this year is obviously Metcalf, but the next two leading receivers are tight end Pat Freiermuth and running back and team MVP, Kenneth Gainwell.

Austin is the next receiver on that list. It's not much, but he gives the Steelers one legitimate option for Aaron Rodgers to target in Week 18. That's one more than they had before this injury news.