‘The train isn’t going to stop moving.’
Calvin Austin, the forgotten member of the rookie class, eager to get back on field
The 2022 Steelers rookie class has a chance to be one of the best hauls for the franchise this century. In his final draft as general manager, Kevin Colbert found two starters in the first two rounds in Kenny Pickett and George Pickens, and they were instrumental in the offense’s improvement in the second half of the season.
Add in the contributions of third-round defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal, sixth-round tight end Connor Heyward, seventhround linebacker Mark Robinson and undrafted free agent running
back Jaylen Warren, and it’s not hard to see why the Steelers are enthused about the future of this group.
But there is one player missing from the discussion, and he hopes to make his mark next season.
Calvin Austin is the forgotten member of this last year’s draft class. He went on injured reserve in August with a foot injury and remained there all season.
“That was probably the hardest part, but the best part to see,” Austin said of his peers earning substantial roles as rookies. “Those guys were out there balling. I was happy to see it. It felt like we were just in rookie minicamp a couple of days ago and now we’re at the end of the season. To see their growth, going into this offseason there are some big plans. We all have that mindset.
We just tipped our toe in the water. Now we’re going to make steps and get ready for next year.”
Austin was the Steelers’ fourthround pick, and he’s hoping to earn playing time next season at slot receiver. He’s only 5-foot-8, but he was timed at 4.32 in the 40yard dash at last year’s NFL combine.
Austin showed off some of his playmaking ability in the early stages of training camp, but one day before the first preseason game against Seahawks, he injured his foot in a walk-through. He spent seven weeks on IR before he returned to practice, but he aggravated the injury in early
October and had season-ending surgery.
On locker clean-out day last week, Austin said he should not have any restrictions in training this offseason.
“I would say one of the benefits was I continued to go to practice and attend meetings,” Austin said of how he approached his stint on IR. “My head was still there. I just couldn’t get the physical aspect done. When I went back out there I was definitely impressed with myself. I was excited and hoping to help the team. I just had another misstep at practice, and we decided to get it fixed. Rehab is going well and I’m excited for next year.”
Austin might be behind the other Steelers’ rookies, but he’ll have an opportunity to compete for a role next season. Pickens and Diontae Johsnon are the starters, but the No. 3 receiver job is up for grabs. Chase Claypool was traded away in November, giving Steven Sims and Gunner Olszewski more playing time in the slot in the final nine games.
Sims is a restricted free agent, and it’s questionable whether Olszewski will return for the second year of his two-year contract.
Either way, Austin knows he has much to prove and much ground to make up in the coming months.
“The train isn’t going to stop moving,” he said. “When you come into this building, you have to be ready for growth. That’s what my mindset is. I was in all the meetings. I didn’t get the game reps, which are very much needed and valuable, but as far as my mindset goes, the physical aspect is important, but the mental aspect can slow rookies down. I feel like I have a good grip on that. I feel like I’m right there with them.”