Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson exited Thursday night’s game against the Cleveland Browns due to a quad injury. While
standing on the sideline with his helmet, he is listed as questionable to return. Jefferson sustained the injury during a four-yard
reception that came up two yards short of a first down, after being tackled by Browns safety Ronnie Hickman.
Jefferson, in his first season with the Steelers, joined the NFL as a second-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020. Including the reception
on which he was injured, he has tallied 15 catches for 143 yards and one touchdown this season.
The 28-year-old’s best year came in 2021 when he posted 802 yards and six touchdowns on 50 receptions, helping the Rams win Super Bowl LVI.
Jefferson recorded four catches for 23 yards in that championship game. Last season, he was
traded from Los Angeles to Atlanta, where he finished with 12 receptions for 101 yards in 12 games.
In Jefferson’s absence, the Steelers’ receiving corps still includes George Pickens, Mike Williams, Calvin Austin III, Ben Skowronek, and
Scotty Miller, as veteran quarterback Russell Wilson works with challenging weather conditions that complicate the passing game.
Pickens, the Steelers’ top target, entered the game ranked fourth in the NFL in receiving yards with 728 yards and two touchdowns on 48
catches. Only Ja’Marr Chase (1,056 yards), Justin Jefferson (912), and CeeDee Lamb (774) have more receiving yards than Pickens, further
solidifying his place among the league’s top wide receivers.