On again playing more snaps, Steelers George Pickens says 'It's all up to (Arthur Smith)'

George Pickens’ first interaction with media in a week featured 18 questions over a 3-minute span. Only four of those 18 elicited answers of more than one sentence.

One of Pickens’ most expansive responses Wednesday came when asked if he was confident in how the Pittsburgh Steelers are deploying him in light of being limited to a career-low 59% of the offensive snaps during their most recent game Sunday.

“It’s just part of game-structure game plan,” Pickens said before Wednesday’s practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “(Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith) wants to do a certain type of play or certain type of game plan, then it’s going to be different.”

Is there anything Pickens can do to earn a full complement of offensive snaps again?

“No,” Pickens said. “It’s not on me, it’s all up to Art.”

Pickens has been at the center of another firestorm since Sunday’s home loss to the Dallas Cowboys in which the purported No. 1 receiver had three catches for 26 yards. Pickens played fewer snaps than fellow receivers Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III during that game. The 34 times he was on the field numbered eight fewer than his previous career-low, set during his rookie season two years ago.

Coach Mike Tomlin attributed the drop to load management, implying it was an effort to maximize performance by limiting fatigue.

“It’s just part of the game plan,” Pickens said Wednesday.

Many have speculated that Pickens’ lessened usage was the Steelers coaches’ reaction to his actions and attitude, or an outright display of discipline for them. Pickens during the game was caught on NBC cameras slamming his helmet to the ground on the sideline and jogging while running some routes.

As the game ended after the Cowboys’ Jourdan Lewis picked up a fumble on a desperation play, Pickens grabbed Lewis by the facemask and Lewis was flung to the ground.

Pickens was asked if he felt he needed to do a better job handling in-game adversity — including penalties called on him, or non-calls on opponents — and the associated ebbs and flows.

“I wouldn’t really say that,” Pickens said. “That’s all on the refs. That should show you where the refs are this season.”

How does Pickens plan to manage his frustrations?

“You just keep working,” he said.

Another controversy that arose related to Pickens on Sunday was a message written his eye-black tape that read, “Open (expletive) always.” The league has a ban on personal messages, and the use of profanity also figures to draw the NFL’s ire. Pickens, though, said he was unaware of any rule and that he did not expect any repercussions.

“It was just eye black,” he said.

“Never seen (a rule against messages) before,” Pickens said moments later, addressing a reporter. “Have you seen it before?”

Pickens was told that in 2015 Steelers captain Cameron Heyward was fined for honoring his late father, Craig, with his nickname “Iron Head.”

“Years ago? When I wasn’t in the league?”

Pickens said he did not regret his demonstrative helmet slam while on the bench.

“When it’s third down and you don’t convert, (it’s frustrating),” he said. “A lot of fans were mad as well.”

Speaking about an hour later Wednesday, Smith corroborated Pickens’ account that his lessened snap load was attributable to a gameplan. Smith referenced his past as coordinator with the Tennessee Titans and when stars such as running back Derrick Henry and receiver A.J. Brown at times played fewer snaps.

He also defended Pickens’ emotional outbursts.

“That’s George,” Smith said. “He’s an emotional guy. He does that every game.

“There’s so many cameras out there – it’s like you’re working in ‘The Truman Show.’”