Michael Pittman Jr. Says He Feels Healthy Enough To Return

The Pittsburgh Steelers made no trades ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, despite a clear need at wide receiver. Although the Steelers were interested in Tennessee’s Calvin Ridley and Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr., a trade never materialized. While the receiver room has a bleak outlook right now, one of the Steelers’ highest paid receivers seems close to making his return from injured reserve.

Steelers veteran wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has been out since Week 4 after suffering a plantar fasciitis injury. Still, it seems like his return could come sooner rather than later.

“It feels good, and today was probably my best day yet,” Pittman told Brendan Howe of Steelers Now on Thursday. “Yesterday was good, today was even better, so definitely trending the right way.… I would love the opportunity to play this week, but that’s out of my control. I definitely let them know today that I thought it was good.”

Pittman Jr. remains on injured reserve, with the Steelers yet to open his 21-day practice window. The receiver was seen working off to the side this week and even ran during warmups. Although Pittman Jr. will be out this week against Cincinnati, the receiver feels healthy enough to go.

The Steelers acquired Pittman Jr. in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts this past March. The receiver has appeared in just three games so far this season, recording seven catches for 89 yards in those contests.

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