Story perspectives

Steelers Eye New Return Specialists After Austin Injury

4/2/2026

Summary

Steelers Evaluate Return Prospects

The Pittsburgh Steelers are evaluating return specialist prospects after losing Calvin Austin III.
Nixon, a former UCF player, posts a 22.8-yard kick-return average and 19 offensive touchdowns in two years.
Brown has a 30-yard kick-return average and six touchdowns from kick returns.
Beatty from Illinois has a 16.4-yard punt-return average.
Reid and versatile players Boston and Concepcion may also be on the Steelers' radar.

Summary

Steelers Seek Return Specialist

The Pittsburgh Steelers lack a reliable return specialist after losing Calvin Austin III, hindering returns.
The upcoming draft offers options, including Kaden Wetjen (Iowa returner), who averages 17.7 punt-return yards and 27.5 kickoff-return yards.
Kaden Wetjen is viewed as a potential game-changer despite limited offensive contributions.
Another option is Michael Wortham from Montana, who averaged 25.2 kickoff-return yards and could be a valuable late-round pick.

History

Historical Context

The NFL's kickoff rule change in 1970 transformed return strategies, emphasizing the importance of specialists. Teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers now seek reliable returners, as seen with Kaden Wetjen's 27.5 average yards per return. This shift reflects a broader trend in the league towards maximizing field position and scoring opportunities, highlighting the critical role of skilled returners in modern football.

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Steelers Evaluate Return Prospects

The Pittsburgh Steelers are evaluating return specialist prospects after losing Calvin Austin III.
Nixon, a former UCF player, posts a 22.8-yard kick-return average and 19 offensive touchdowns in two years.
Brown has a 30-yard kick-return average and six touchdowns from kick returns.
Beatty from Illinois has a 16.4-yard punt-return average.
Reid and versatile players Boston and Concepcion may also be on the Steelers' radar.

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