Scott Brown, ESPN Pittsburgh Steelers reporter 9y

The Film Don't Lie: Steelers

A weekly look at what the Pittsburgh Steelers must fix.

Markus Wheaton appears to be in danger of disappearing from the offense and the Steelers need to find a way to restore the second-year wide receiver’s confidence as well as get him more involved in the passing game.

The Indianapolis Colts will try to take Antonio Brown out of the game Sunday at Heinz Field, and they have a legitimate shutdown cornerback in Vontae Davis, whom Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said is playing at a Pro Bowl level.

No team has succeeded in stopping Brown, who leads the NFL with 913 receiving yards, but the Steelers need a complement to emerge opposite the two-time Pro Bowler.

Wheaton looked like he had things figured out after playing only 152 snaps last season as a rookie because of finger injuries and the players ahead of him on the depth chart. But after catching 19 passes for 227 yards in the Steelers’ first four games, Wheaton has regressed.

The 2013 third-round draft pick has caught just five passes for 50 yards in the Steelers’ last three games. Wheaton did not have a catch in the Steelers’ 30-23 win over the Houston Texans on Monday night, and he played only 24 snaps.

Tomlin is eschewing labels or roles for his wide receivers aside from Brown, who is a clear No. 1. The eighth-year coach said he will play his wide receivers based on situations, which may not bode well for Wheaton becoming a prominent part of the offense.

That is not to say Tomlin is unhappy with Wheaton, who has been targeted 13 times in the past two games and caught only four passes for 33 yards.

“He’s working extremely hard,” Tomlin said. “I like his effort on a day-to-day basis.”

That proclamation is what makes Wheaton such an enigma. The 5-foot-11, 182-pounder has good speed, is a polished route runner and is as conscientious as anyone in the Steelers’ locker room.

Wheaton made a point to watch film of the Steelers’ 31-10 loss at Cleveland on Oct. 12 with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The two went over every throw Roethlisberger made to the former Oregon State star in that game.

It didn’t translate into the two connecting against the Texans, and it is worth wondering whether Roethlisberger is losing faith in the player whose locker is next to his.

Big Ben will surely say otherwise during his weekly media scrum. But Wheaton needs to start making the most of what may be limited opportunities until he starts making more plays.

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