Steelers' Calvin Austin III Excited To Fulfill Rookie Prestige In 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers have always been a proud franchise. It is pride stemming from Super Bowl victories, Hall of Fame players, and consistency in a league where that is a true rarity, but the deepest pride comes from what is done on the football field. In 2023, there is also pride in the way the front office had a mission to deepen the roster and bring in competition, and so far, the mission has been successful. One area where that can clearly be seen is within the receiver's room, where one young athlete is looking to put 2022 behind them for a brighter 2023: Calvin Austin III.

Steelers Saw Amazing Resolve From Austin In His Rookie Year

When a young player with extraordinary potential and explosive speed goes down with an injury in their rookie year, it isn't always a guarantee that when they return, they will be the same. That is what was going through the head of Austin every time he did his physical rehab or watched his Steelers struggle through a rough first half of the 2022 season. Austin injured his foot before the first preseason game in 2022, something that seemed frustrating, but minor at the time. The fallout, however, was far from minor, as it turned out.

The foot injury became nagging, and while Austin was able to return to practice later on, the injury worsened, and he eventually required surgery to get everything back to how it should be. For Austin, whose game is built largely on his ability to take the top off of any defense, the road ahead of him was going to be one of patience and then even more patience.

Now, skip ahead to the 2023 offseason, where Austin is finally able to show what he can do on a football field again, but the competition is truly fierce in the Steelers wide receivers room. Diontae Johnson is the established starter and isn't planning on relinquishing it anytime soon, George Pickens is a masterclass in making insane catches, and veteran Allen Robinson II brings that experience to a younger group. That is an intimidating room to be competing with, especially when your rookie year was spent on the sidelines. It was up to Austin to respond, and respond he did with flying colors.

Steelers See Immediate Results From Austin Already In 2023

The last time that Austin scored a touchdown during an actual football game was in mid-October of 2021 when his University of Memphis Tigers faced off against Navy. Austin showed off his speed by taking a running play 69 yards for a touchdown.

When the Steelers played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their first 2023 preseason game, Austin was given his first chance since his injury to show why the Steelers drafted him in the first place. In the third quarter, with the Steelers already leading 20-7, the offense didn't feel like slowing down. That is when third-string quarterback, Mason Rudolph let Austin do his thing and tossed a long, 67-yard touchdown pass to the speedy receiver.

Austin, letting his speed do the talking, had to actually slow down for a brief moment to haul the pass in before breaking away from the defenders and running free into the end zone. You could see the exhilaration on the face of the swift Steelers receiver, but one thing you won't see is someone being content. Austin didn't work through the 2022 injury, the subsequent surgery, and everything that came after to celebrate one, lone touchdown in a 2023 preseason opener.

The Steelers have completed their days of training camp for 2023, and there is one preseason games left to go before the real thing kicks off. While Austin may think back to that touchdown against Tampa Bay, it certainly won't be where his thoughts finish. For Austin, this is about everything that comes after. He knows how hard he had to work and be patient just to get to this point, so he won't be wasting any time that is given to him. In a crowded, talented wide receiver room, Austin is looking to stand out. He did the work, now it's time to see what Austin can do next!

What role will Calvin Austin III end up having with the Steelers in 2023? 

#SteelerNation