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Steelers predicted to acquire Tim Patrick.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently atop the AFC North and could be active ahead of the trade deadline to bolster their lineup.

The Steelers could look to upgrade their offense and add another receiver, especially with Calvin Austin III dealing with an injury. With that, NFL insider Matt Verderame of SI predicts the Steelers will trade a seventh-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Tim Patrick.

Last year, Patrick became an essential piece for the Lions after two years on the sideline with a torn ACL and torn Achilles,” Verderame wrote. “However, in Detroit, Patrick played in 16 games, making 33 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns.

“This season, though, has been different,” Verderame added. “Patrick is in Jacksonville and behind Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington and rookie Travis Hunter, playing only 22% of the snaps (59% in 2024). Meanwhile, Pittsburgh needs a complement to DK Metcalf. Beyond him, the Steelers’ leading receiver is Calvin Austin III, with 10 catches for 139 yards.”

Patrick signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Jaguars this offseason after spending the 2024 season with the Detroit Lions.

With the Lions, Patrick became a nice secondary receiver, as he recorded 33 receptions for 394 yards and 3 touchdowns. His career year was in 2020 with the Denver Broncos, when he recorded 79 receptions for 742 yards and 6 touchdowns. In his NFL career, Patrick has recorded 178 receptions, 2,418 yards, and 15 touchdowns.

Patrick would add some depth to the receiver room behind DK Metcalf and Austin III.

Steelers Get Positive Injury Update on Austin III

Pittsburgh’s receiver room took a hit when Austin III suffered an injury.

At the time, it was rumored that Austin III could be out for several weeks. However, Steelers NFL insider Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reported that Austin III’s injury isn’t as bad as first thought.

“X-rays on Calvin Austin III’s shoulder came back negative, according to a league source, which is good news. I do not know yet if he’ll miss time with injury or not,” DeFabo wrote. “If he does, this could be Wilson’s best chance to prove that he deserves a bigger piece of the pie moving forward.”

Austin III suffered a shoulder injury after landing hard on his shoulder and went to the hospital to get checked out.

With the Steelers on a bye week, perhaps Austin III could return to the field in Week 6 when Pittsburgh takes on the Cleveland Browns after beating the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin.

Receivers Coach Praises ‘Unselfish’ Group

The Steelers have a true No. 1 receiver in Metcalf, but after him, Pittsburgh has a receiver room by committee.

Steelers receivers coach Zach Azzanni is proud of the group for being unselfish and not demanding the ball all the time.

“These guys are just doing what they’re asked to do, which is cool,” said Azzanni. “The goal is to win football games. If they block 40 times, they block 40 times We throw 40 times, we throw 40 and none of them say a word. They’re a very unselfish group. It’s a really good room. So, I feel good about where they are… It’s fun to go in the meeting room. No one’s too prideful to take corrections. So, it’s been a really good addition having him there.”

The Steelers entered the bye week with a 3-1 record and are atop the AFC North.

Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton