Steelers' Calvin Austin: Clears protocol for Week 14
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Austin (concussion) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Browns, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Austin's lack of designation means he has cleared concussion protocol. He practiced without limitations Thursday and Friday after being limited Wednesday. The 5-foot-9 wide receiver brings a two-game touchdown streak into Sunday's clash between AFC North rivals, including a Week 12 score versus Cleveland. Austin has three touchdowns in six games with Russell Wilson at quarterback.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Expects to play Sunday
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Austin (concussion) said Friday he expects to be cleared to play Sunday versus Cleveland, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.
Austin practiced in full Thursday, and while the Steelers haven't yet officially announced that he's cleared the NFL's concussion protocol, the expectation appears to be that he'll suit up Week 14. In his last two appearances, Austin has compiled five catches (on five targets) for 107 yards and two scores, despite playing only 23 percent of offensive snaps Week 13 versus Cincinnati.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Logs full practice Thursday
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Austin (concussion) was listed as a full practice participant Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
After being limited Wednesday, Austin's full participation a day later bodes well for his chances of being available Sunday against the Browns. He'll still need to receive clearance from an independent neurologist before exiting the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, and Friday's injury report should clarify whether or not he was able to do so.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Limited in practice after concussion
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Austin (concussion) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Practicing just three days after entering concussion protocol suggests Austin has a chance to avoid missed time, although head coach Mike Tomlin cautioned Wednesday that the Steelers still need to "follow the medical experts and let them provide us appropriate information." Austin is still only Pittsburgh's No. 3 receiver in terms of playing time and hasn't drawn more than six targets in any game this season, but he's been more noticeable as a big-play threat since Russell Wilson took over as the starting quarterback Week 7, scoring three touchdowns in the past six games while recording five catches of 20-plus yards. An Austin absence this Sunday against Cleveland would leave more snaps available for Mike Williams and/or Ben Skowronek.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: In concussion protocol
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Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Austin suffered a concussion in Sunday's 44-38 win over the Bengals and remains in the league's five-step protocol, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
After recorded two catches for 29 yards and a touchdown on two targets, Austin headed to the locker room late in the second quarter to get checked for a concussion. He was officially ruled out for the rest of the game, though the Steelers never formally confirmed that he had been diagnosed with a concussion. Austin will need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist before exiting the league's concussion protocol. He could face an uphill battle to make it back for this Sunday's game against the Browns.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Won't return Sunday
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Austin (head) was ruled out of Sunday's game at Cincinnati, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Austin endured a big hit from Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt late in the second quarter on a six-yard catch. With his Week 13 now over, Austin will finish it with two receptions (on two targets) for 29 yards and one touchdown. His return to action will be subject to the protocol for head injuries.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Getting checked for concussion
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Austin is being evaluated for a head injury and is questionable to return.
Austin may have sustained the injury after he was on the receiving end of a hard tackle from Bengals defensive back Cam Taylor-Britt on a six-yard catch in the final minute of the second quarter. Earlier in the contest, Austin hauled in 23-yard touchdown reception, his fifth score of the season.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Scores long TD in loss
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Austin brought in all three targets for 78 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers' 24-19 loss to the Browns on Thursday night.
Austin offered up some rare chunk plays in the snowstorm-like conditions that a significant portion of Thursday's game was played in, following up a 46-yard grab early in the second quarter with a 23-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter. The second-year wideout's yardage total was his second highest of the season, surpassed only by his 95-yard tally in Week 3 against the Chargers. Austin's role in the offense will continue to fluctuate weekly, but his speed and Russell Wilson's touch on deep passes affords the fleet-footed receiver upside any time he's out on a route.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Minimal offensive work in win
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Austin secured one of two targets for minus-1 yard during Sunday's 18-16 win over Baltimore.
Austin had recorded at least 20 receiving yards in each of the Steelers' last four games, but he had his worst performance of the season during Sunday's divisional win. The 25-year-old has had some encouraging showings over the first half of the season, but his production down the stretch could be inconsistent if Mike Williams develops a solid rapport with Russell Wilson.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Little production on six targets
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Austin recorded two receptions on six targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 28-27 win over the Commanders.
Austin saw a season-high six targets, and he delivered a pivotal 13-yard gain on the Steelers' game-winning drive. However, his role is likely to be in flux given the addition of Mike Williams, who took on a limited snap count in his team debut against the Commanders. Even with a lack of other receiving options early this season, Austin has topped 50 receiving yards only twice in nine games.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Tallies 36 yards in prime time
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Austin secured one of four targets for 36 yards during Sunday's 37-15 win over the Jets.
Although Russell Wilson replaced Justin Fields as the Steelers' starting quarterback for Sunday's matchup, Austin recorded exactly 36 receiving yards for a second consecutive week. The 2022 fourth-rounder has now posted double-digit receiving yards in four of his last five appearances, and he's secured nine of 17 targets for 190 yards and a touchdown during that time. While it's been encouraging to see Austin log some slight consistency, he hasn't yet displayed much fantasy upside early in the 2024 campaign.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Two grabs in win
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Austin caught two of five targets for 36 yards in Sunday's 32-13 win over the Raiders.
Austin's five targets Sunday matched a season high, while his 36 percent offensive snap share was a season low. The 25-year-old ranked second in targets among all pass catchers in the contest, but the wideout was unable to get much going with his opportunities. Heading into a Week 7 matchup against the Jets, it's possible that a potential change at quarterback from Justin Fields to Russell Wilson could impact Austin positively, but fantasy managers should exercise caution before trying to fit him into lineups based on his inconsistent usage and production so far in 2024.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Logs just one catch in loss
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Austin secured one of two targets for six yards during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Cowboys.
Although Austin was on the field for 76 percent of the of the Steelers' offensive snaps Sunday -- which ranked second among the team's wide receivers -- he was held to just one catch for the fourth time in five appearances this season. The 2022 fourth-rounder had tallied double-digit receiving yards in his two outings before Sunday's prime-time matchup, but he's had a limited target share for most of the year so far.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Held to one catch in defeat
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Austin secured his lone target for 17 yards during Sunday's 27-24 loss to Indianapolis.
Austin tallied a career-high 95 receiving yards during last week's win over the Chargers, but he didn't see as much work during Sunday's Week 4 defeat. Despite his encouraging performance Week 3, Austin has been limited to just one catch in three of the first four games of the regular season and hasn't yet established himself as a consistent fantasy option.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Not on injury report
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Austin (undisclosed) was not listed on Wednesday's injury report.
Austin spent time in the blue medical tent late during Sunday's win over the Broncos, but he isn't carrying an official injury as Week 3 practice kicks off. In addition to returning five punts for 27 yards versus Denver, Austin reeled in one of two targets for six yards. He'll fill a depth role at receiver for Pittsburgh in Week 3 against the Chargers.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Targeted twice against Atlanta
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Austin secured one of two targets for seven yards during Sunday's 18-10 win over Atlanta.
The Steelers' offense struggled to generate much production during Sunday's low-scoring matchup, but Austin was one of three wide receivers to draw at least one target. Austin impressed during offseason activities, but it's unclear whether he'll develop into a fantasy-relevant option in 2024 after securing 17 of 30 targets for 180 yards and a touchdown while appearing in every game last year.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Paces team in receiving yards
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Austin secured two of his three targets for 49 yards during Friday's 20-12 preseason loss to the Texans.
Austin had a limited impact on offense in 2023, securing 17 of 30 targets for 180 yards and a touchdown while rushing 11 times for 57 yards and another score. However, the Steelers lost Diontae Johnson, Allen Robinson and Miles Boykin during the offseason, so there should be more targets available during the 2024 campaign. Austin impressed during OTAs and minicamp this spring and has carried that momentum into the start of training camp, showcasing his versatility by lining up on the outside as well as in the slot. While the Steelers also have several other receivers competing for targets during the preseason, Austin had a strong start Friday by leading the team in receiving yards.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Building momentum
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Austin has continued his momentum from spring practices into training camp, according to Alan Saunders of Steelers Now.
A 2022 fourth-round pick, Austin missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury and then got just 30 targets and 11 carries last year. He's now part of a wide-open competition for WR roles behind No. 1 George Pickens, with the other leading candidates being Van Jefferson and rookie third-round pick Roman Wilson. Austin is one of the smallest players in the league at 5-foot-9, 162 pounds, but he's reportedly been getting some work on the perimeter in addition to expected slot reps.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Held in check in 2023
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Austin secured 17 of 30 targets for 180 yards and a touchdown while rushing 11 times for 57 yards and a touchdown over 17 games in 2023.
Austin had a relatively solid start to the season with double-digit receiving yards in each of the first four games, but he logged single-digit receiving yards in 11 of the final 13 weeks of the year and was held without a catch in five consecutive games to close out the regular season. The 24-year-old missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury, so it was encouraging to see him appear in every game in 2023. However, he'll need to get more involved in the passing game if he hopes to be a fantasy-relevant option.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin: Scores first rushing touchdown
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Austin failed to secure either of his targets while rushing once for seven yards and a touchdown during Saturday's 34-11 win over the Bengals.
Austin hasn't been a major part of the Steelers offense for most of the 2023 campaign, but he reached the end zone during Saturday's blowout win on an end-around run in the first half for his first career rushing touchdown. Over 10 appearances since Pittsburgh's Week 6 bye, Austin has secured five of eight targets for 37 yards while rushing eight times for 46 yards and a touchdown.
