A Healthy Calvin Austin III Looks to “Put Pressure on Defenses” in Pittsburgh

About Austin

After an explosive tenure at Harding Academy in Memphis, Calvin Austin III became an all-time great receiver for Memphis football.

At the 2022 NFL Draft Combine, the Tiger legend ran a blazing 4.32-second 40-yard dash. This lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to select him in the fourth round of last year’s draft.

Unfortunately, a foot injury kept him out of  action for his entire rookie season.

Recent Success

After a reported “excellent” 2023 training camp, Tiger and Steeler fans alike had high expectations for Austin going into last Friday’s preseason opener against Tampa Bay.

Those expectations proved to be warranted. The 5-foot-7 wideout recorded 96 all-purpose yards, including this touchdown that is an early contender for the best play of the preseason.

Calvin Austin III catches the DOT from Mason Rudolph for the TD! pic.twitter.com/lrWlXxdIPG

— Jack Sperry (@jack_sperry) August 12, 2023

High Praise for Austin

In a blog posted on the team’s website, Steelers star running back Najee Harris recognized Austin’s talent.

“I think he’s gonna be featured a lot,” Harris said. “He’s gonna put a lot of pressure on defenses.”

Austin had some comments of his own later in the article.

“I definitely think I can do a lot of different things,” he said. “I’m glad I’ve been able to be healthy and be able to show some of the different things I can do out there.”

Austin’s Season Outlook

Austin is currently the Steelers’ fourth-string receiver and second-string slot receiver behind declining veteran Allen Robinson.

Fortunately for Austin, Robinson hasn’t been an adequate NFL starter for some time now. So, chances are that Austin will get a starting opportunity at some point this season.

If Robinson holds down the slot role for the entire year, however, the speedy Austin will be utilized as a gadget player coming on the field in a very specialized role.

Whether it’s jet sweeps, go routes or kick returns, the superstar from Memphis will find a way to put pressure on defenses in 2023.