Steelers Lose Michael Pittman Jr. to Foot Injury, Get DeShon Elliott Back at Practice

The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting some defensive reinforcements, but their offense just took a massive hit to the foot.

According to Ian Rapoport, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has aggravated his plantar fasciitis and is going to miss multiple weeks. Head coach Mike McCarthy delivered the bad news, which is exactly what you want to hear right after dropping a tight divisional game.

"Coach Mike McCarthy said Pittman will miss multiple weeks."

Plantar fasciitis is one of those injuries that sounds like a minor inconvenience until you realize it feels like stepping on a Lego made of hot glass every time you plant your foot. For a wide receiver whose entire job relies on explosive cuts and sudden stops, that is a nightmare scenario.

Pittman missing extended time leaves a massive void in the passing game. Pittsburgh is coming off a frustrating 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns, and losing a top target is not exactly the recipe for a bounce-back offensive performance.

If you were banking on Pittman's receiving props to carry your weekend slips, it is time to pivot. Someone else in this receiving corps has to absorb those targets, and the offensive output might look a lot more grounded for the next month as the market adjusts to the new target share.

The only silver lining here is on the defensive side of the ball. Safety DeShon Elliott has officially returned to practice. He is still technically on injured reserve, but getting his cleats back on the grass is a step in the right direction for a secondary that desperately needs him.

For now, the Steelers have to figure out how to move the chains without Pittman. McCarthy has his work cut out for him scheming up an offense missing a primary weapon, and Pittsburgh fans will just have to hold their breath every time an injury update drops.