Steelers Markus Wheaton had pinkie surgery

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Markus Wheaton (11) drops a pass in front of Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs (55) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Markus Wheaton underwent surgery on his broken pinkie, and his status following the Steelers bye week is unknown at this point in time, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Mark Kobaly. Wheaton reportedly fractured his pinkie in the Steelers Week 4 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and he wasn’t expected to miss any time after continuing through the game. The Oregon State rookie wideout was the top deep-threat coming into the class, but he didn’t get anything going with just 26 receiving yards on three receptions. The Steelers did finally give him a bigger role, and Wheaton was finally able to catch his first NFL pass.

The Tribune-Review reports that Markus Wheaton actually broke his pinkie against the Vikings, and he underwent surgery. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin isn’t giving any updates on the status of his rookie wideout, but the bright side is that this injury transpired before the Steelers Week 5 bye week. That was probably one reason in favor of having Wheaton undergo surgery, and we’ll see how he recovers from the injury over the course of the bye week.

Needless to say, Wheaton’s status for the Steelers Week 6 contest against the New York Jets is squarely in doubt, and the Steelers would love to have their playmaker available to stretch the field against the Jets safeties. He is steadily getting more playing time, and we’ll hear more from Tomlin and the Steelers once Wheaton’s stitches are out.

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