Steelers' Mike Tomlin 'comfortable' with what he has seen from wide receiver group heading into season opener

After trading Diontae Johnson to Carolina in March, the Pittsburgh Steelers tried in vain to acquire a proven wide receiver to start alongside George Pickens.

A deal never materialized, leaving the Steelers with a cast of wideouts that includes Van Jefferson, Scotty Miller, Calvin Austin and a healing rookie in Roman Wilson heading into the season opener at Atlanta.

What he saw in training camp and the preseason convinced coach Mike Tomlin the Steelers will be OK without a bona fide No. 2 threat.

“I’m comfortable with the performance of these guys,” Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly press conference.

That wasn’t always the case, Tomlin conceded.

“Had some questions, even dating back to the spring,” Tomlin said, “and, to be quite honest with you, I probably went into the receiver room a couple weeks into camp, and I told them that. I believe in being transparent, but the consistency with which those guys performed in Latrobe and during team development has made me more comfortable. Specifically, I’m talking about Scotty Miller and Van Jefferson.”

Miller and Jefferson each followed new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith from Atlanta. Miller spent the 2023 season with the Falcons, and Jefferson spent 12 games on the Falcons roster after being acquired in a trade.

However, they combined for 23 receptions for 262 yards and two touchdowns — both from Miller — during their stay in Atlanta.

“I can’t say enough about the consistency with which they performed, the floor if you will,” Tomlin said. “They behave like veteran NFL players, and that has provided some comfort in the midst of the transition that comes with dealing with new people and getting acclimated in that way.”

Injury update

Left guard Isaac Seumalo is the only player Tomlin has determined won’t play against the Falcons because of injury.

He hasn’t ruled out two rookies from returning in time for the opener: Wilson and right tackle Troy Fautanu. They, along with running back Jaylen Warren (hamstring) and cornerback Cory Trice (groin), were limited in practice Monday.

“We had guys dealing with short-term misery regarding injury, but those guys appear to be turning the corner and moving toward availability,” Tomlin said. “We’ll watch as we go through the week and make sure we don’t get any negative trends. Some of those guys don’t have extended resumes, so we’ll watch their quality of play, as well.”

If Wilson can’t play, the Steelers will need to call up a player from the practice squad if they want to dress five receivers against Atlanta. Warren has excelled as Najee Harris’ backup, but Tomlin didn’t discount Cordarrelle Patterson filling a bigger role in the backfield.

“We have some really capable guys,” Tomlin said.

Trice, who missed his entire rookie season with an ACL tear, has emerged as a top backup at outside corner as well as a special teams contributor.

Worth a nickel

Just because rookie undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop is listed as the first-team nickel cornerback — with no backup included on the depth chart — doesn’t necessarily mean he will hold that job against Atlanta.

Tomlin wants to see more from Bishop, who did not play in the second preseason game and was withheld from the first half of the third.

“I don’t know that he’s done it yet,” Tomlin said. “We have player evaluation opportunities during the course of the week that determines how we divide the labor. We’ll watch Beanie and others.”

Strong safety DeShon Elliott played some in the slot during training camp when the Steelers went to a three-safety look. Thomas Graham Jr. is an option on the practice squad.