Steelers WR Michael Pittman Jr. hopeful to play vs the Falcons

One of the biggest moves the Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off this offseason was the trade for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. The move was intended to give DK Metcalf a legitimate starter opposite him and take some pressure off of him in the passing game. Now, a week before the team's first regular-season game and it isn't clear if Pittman Jr. will play after sitting out all of the preseason with an injury. Pittman addressed the media after Monday's practice and offered something of an optimistic update about his status for this week's game against the Atlanta Falcons and he sounds like a guy who wants to play. If the Steelers want to get off to a hot start, they need their best players on the field. Pittman Jr. and Metcalf have sat out the entire preseason, along with quarterback Aaron Rodgers so they need some game action to knock off the rust and build the chemistry this offense needs to improve over last season.