Steelers' George Pickens Ejected for Unnecessary Roughness in Loss to Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver George Pickens was removed from Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a dangerous play he made late in the fourth quarter.

During an onside kick in the final minute, Pickens made a helmet-to-helmet hit on Bengals returner Tyler Boyd when he recovered the ball, and the rookie was summarily ejected. Cincinnati then knelt twice to close the door on a 37-30 victory.

Pickens had enjoyed one of the better games of his first NFL season, finishing with four catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. It was just his second time reaching the end zone this year, catching a 24-yard score from fellow rookie Kenny Pickett.

Sunday's game was a back-and-forth affair between the AFC North rivals. The Steelers took a 20-17 lead into halftime but went three-and-out on their first three drives of the third quarter. The Bengals took the lead for good when quarterback Joe Burrow capped a seven-play, 59-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown pass to Trenton Irwin.

Pickett played a solid game in defeat, completing 25 of 42 passes for 265 yards and the touchdown to Pickens. Steelers running back Najee Harris ran the ball 20 times for 92 yards and two touchdowns, including a one-yard score with 45 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Pittsburgh fell to 3-7 with the loss and sits in last place in the division. The team has never had a losing season under head coach Mike Tomlin, but it is on the verge of ending that impressive streak.

The Steelers will try to turn things around beginning with their Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts next week.