DK Metcalf returned to the comfy confines of the Steelers locker room Monday. He's hoping his actions in Monday night's playoff game do his talking.
Of course, Metcalf's two-game league-mandated suspension forced the Steelers to find an alternative receiving threat for a wide receiver who took 52% of receiver targets, 51% of receiver receptions, 56% of receive yardage, and 50% of receiver touchdowns to the sideline with him.
The Steelers didn't score a touchdown in a loss to the Browns, as Steelers receivers combined for only 60 receiving yards.
That total more than doubled against the Ravens on Sunday night as the receiver corps caught 13 passes for 141 yards and Calvin Austin's game-winning touchdown catch.
The 141 receiving yards against the Ravens was still less than Metcalf's 148 against the Ravens in the earlier meeting, so his absence was still felt.
But the Steelers made progress in finding a bookend for his return. Mike Tomlin talked about that process Tuesday at his weekly press conference.
"Sometimes when you lack in significant players, it's opportunities for others to show what they're capable of and to accelerate growth and development and cohesion in other areas," Tomlin said before pointing out two wide receivers in particular.
"Adam Thielen, for example, is a new acquisition for us, and he made some significant plays for us in recent weeks, and, in that, cohesion has probably been accelerated," Tomlin said.
"Scotty Miller is a guy that's always ready to make plays for us. He's not always given an opportunity, but certainly in the two years that he's been here, man, he's been a credible playmaker when called upon. He's displaying some of that in some significant moments over the last several weeks as well."
Thielen, a 35-year-old with 704 career receptions, wasn't playing much for the receiver-rich Minnesota Vikings, and on Dec. 1 they accommodated his wish to be waived. The Steelers picked Thielen up the next day and didn't waste time putting him to work. He caught a pass in each of his first two games before catching 4 passes for 49 yards (including three critical third-and-long conversions) against the Lions. Thielen started against the Browns and caught 2 passes for 14 yards. Against the Ravens, he caught 3 passes for 43 yards, including a 28-yard catch in the third quarter that set up the tying touchdown.
Miller, a 28-year-old who played under Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith when both were in Atlanta, had only 4 receptions for 28 yards heading into the final two games. With Metcalf out, Miller had 5 receptions for 34 yards.
Tomlin pointed out another aspect of the offense that he hopes made progress during Metcalf's absence.
"Our running backs have been a major component of our passing game in recent weeks," Tomlin said. "Maybe not down the field, but the ability to turn short into longer has bridged the gap for us in a lot of ways. I think we lead the league in yards-after-catch as a collective for the season, and I think the running backs are central to that."
Against the Ravens, Kenneth Gainwell had a season-high 8 receptions and Jaylen Warren tied his season-high 5 receptions as the two backs combined for 97 receiving yards.
"And I think we all grow as strategists," Tomlin added. "I think as a collective, as a coaching staff, when you're faced with adversity, it's important that you pivot. There's an expiration date on adjustments, and certainly we had to make some adjustments. We felt the effects of it in Cleveland, but as I mentioned in this setting, it was reasonable to expect us all to be better – the players themselves, us as strategists – and I think we displayed that.
"And so hopefully, in returning (Metcalf) to the fold, we get the benefits of all the things that I've just discussed – our adaptability, the growth of individuals, the growth of continuity, and new individuals. And you couple that with his presence, hopefully we're all continually, collectively better. I know it's going to be required."
Tomlin also discussed the benefit of new receivers working with quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the last two weeks.
"Certainly, relationships and trust and the ability to anticipate and work with other others at the quarterback-receiver combination is significant," Tomlin said. "And so, it's not only DK missing games, but he missed practices, and those balls go elsewhere daily in practices. So, certainly, I'm sure there was some residual benefit in terms of him doing so, not only in the two games, but in the two weeks."
As for Metcalf himself, Tomlin said, "I think he's in a great place. I know that he's happy to be back, he's happy to be in this tournament, and he's ready to go to work."
