More than a year after being drafted in the 4th round by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a multifaceted weapon for the purpose of opening up some of the more creative corners of the playbook, Calvin Austin III finally got an opportunity to get in to a game last Friday in Tampa.
And did he ever make the most of it.
After a foot injury last summer ended up keeping him out the entire season, playing in an NFL game – even just an exhibition – was an important step for Austin.
“It feels like we can check that box off, just ‘being in a game.’ It was important for me to have that Steelers uniform on and go out and compete.”
Austin led the Steelers in both rushing and receiving yards in their preseason opener, and securing the ball from his first professional touchdown was a reward his father was confident enough to remind him of.
“I didn’t know where he was sitting, but he definitely made it known during the game, so I got to hear him. He told me before the game, ‘When you score, keep the ball.’ It was just cool, because I know he has a tremendous amount of confidence in me. He’s always had (that).”
Now, the second year receiver out of Memphis looks to check another item off his checklist on Saturday night against the Buffalo Bills: Playing at Heinz Field.
“That’s a place I’ve never played in. Being at home, taking it all in, that’ll be the next (box to check). We have a big (fan) turnout every single day, so I can just imagine how it’s gonna be on game day.”
Austin’s ability to stretch the field gives Kenny Pickett and the Steelers offense multiple deep ball targets, which has been on display throughout training camp.
“It’s been an emphasis throughout OTAs and camp, for all the receivers, to hit on those vertical balls.”
And without a preference for where he is in the formation, the 5-foot-9 receiver thinks he can provide that punch lined up anywhere on the field.
“Anybody that really knows me and my game would already know that coming out of college my last year I was mostly outside, didn’t play slot at all,” said Austin.
“At this level, I’m just constantly learning, whatever position I’m in, outside, inside, and just continuing to grow comfortable with that, but I do feel comfortable being outside as well. That’s what these practices are for; just continuing to work on my game, all around. Deep balls, short balls, whatever that is. I’m just constantly trying to improve my route technique.”
As his personal comfort level grows, Austin sees that increased comfortability for the entire offensive unit as a whole, as well.
“We’ve definitely come together. You can tell from how we operate. There’s not a lot of people asking each other questions. We’re moving past talking about assignment football,” Austin said earlier this week.
“We’re talking about the X, Y, Zs of plays and you can feel the flow of practice. We’re constantly at a point where we’ve got all the plays down, now we’re trying to be more innovative.”
And that innovation, coupled with Austin’s ability to work from the slot, the edge, and anywhere in between could prove invaluable as the Steelers offense looks for more chances to capitalize on big play opportunities, and therefore, more success on the scoreboard this season.