The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a relatively solid start to the season. Even though the defense hasn’t been as good as a Mike Tomlin defense typically is, the offense has been better than anticipated, leading to a 2-1 record through three weeks.
An additional advantage for the offense was the lack of injuries on the unit. However, the situation has taken a turn for the worse in the last week. After Jaylen Warren was ruled out for their Week 4 clash against the Minnesota Vikings, the game in Dublin brought additional problems in the form of an injury to their wide receiver, Calvin Austin.
What Happened to Calvin Austin?
With a dominant 21-6 lead heading into the fourth quarter, the Steelers wanted to take further advantage of an unusually subpar performance from the Minnesota defense. Already in the red zone, they had a chance to further extend the league.
However, the subsequent play did not go in their favor on two counts. Not only were they not able to score a touchdown, but the snap also saw Austin go down on the field. Almost immediately, it was clear that things weren’t okay.
Calvin Austin is injured. The medical staff is running out to check on him.
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) September 28, 2025
Mike DeFabo of The Athletic provided quick updates on X, with the first stating, “Calvin Austin is injured. The medical staff is running out to check on him.” Soon after, Austin walked off the field, albeit on his own power.
Calvin Austin III is headed to the locker room. Not a good sign.
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) September 28, 2025
However, the situation did not turn into a positive one for Pittsburgh. DeFabo added in a subsequent tweet, “Calvin Austin III is headed to the locker room. Not a good sign.” As he went to the locker room, fans were anxious to know what came next for a promising young receiver.
Unfortunately, the next update was the most grim one of them all. Brooke Pryor of ESPN broke the heartbreaking news on X, stating, “Steelers WR Calvin Austin III was just loaded into an ambulance in the tunnel with his shoulder in a sling.”
After injuries caused him to miss the entirety of his rookie season, Austin was slowly starting to integrate himself into the Steelers organization. His first year on the field saw him tally just 180 yards and a touchdown.
However, those numbers took a dramatic jump in his sophomore year, as he finished with 548 yards and four touchdowns. It looked like he was in line for another jump this season, with 126 yards and two touchdowns through three games.
Austin’s Injury’s Fantasy Impact
Austin is on the fringe of fantasy relevance. He’s not someone fantasy managers are ever looking to start, but he has enough big play potential to be worth throwing into lineups when managers are in a bind.
There is no immediate action to take here. DK Metcalf is entrenched as the WR1 and only trustworthy pass catcher on the Steelers. This offense does not have enough passing volume to sustain anyone else.
