Steelers' George Pickens unaware of NFL's black eye patch policy: 'I've never seen that before'

The NFL's rule prohibiting players from adding black eye messages during games was apparently not on George Pickens' radar.

The third-year Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver's eye blacked during the Week 5 game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The black stripe on his eye that stretched beneath his eyes said, “Always open, f—.”

“I've never seen (the rule) before,” Pickens replied when asked if he was aware of the league's black-eye policy. – Have you seen this before?

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Then the reporter mentioned the penalty Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward had to pay in 2015 when he wrote his father's nickname on his black eye. Cam's father, Craig, played in the NFL from 1988 to 1998 and was nicknamed “Ironhead.”

Pickens, 23, shrugged when the issue of his teammate's punishment was raised and said: “Many years ago when I wasn't playing in the league? So no.”

Pickens, asked if there was any intention behind the decision, said he was “just black-eyed” and said he had not yet heard from the league about any potential penalties.

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The black eye was just part of an eventful evening for Pickens, who leads the Steelers in receptions and yards by a wide margin.

Pickens also pulled Dallas defenseman Jourdan Lewis by his facemask on the final play of the game, and at the end of Pittsburgh's scoreless possession, he hit his helmet so hard that it bounced off the bench.

“You know when it's a third down and you don't convert (you get frustrated),” Pickens said. “Many fans were also furious.”

Pickens played a career-low 34 snaps, which coach Mike Tomlin described as load management. In the second half, Pickens sat alone on the bench for a long time. Injured veteran returner Cordarelle Patterson was one of the few teammates checking on him.

“You definitely have to feel for him,” Steelers quarterback Justin Fields said. “He is just passionate about the game…. The most important thing is just to be patient and wait for the ball to come his way because ultimately the defense knows we're trying to get him the ball. “

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) makes a catch against Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (6) in the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. (Barry Reeger/Imagn Images)

Pickens said he had no problem with reducing playing time and put the blame on a plan devised by first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

“It's none of my business,” Pickens said. “It all depends on art.”

Smith downplayed his decision, pointing out that he limited snaps for players like running back Derrick Henry and wide receiver AJ Brown when he served as Tennessee's offensive coordinator to keep them fresh.

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While Tomlin lamented his team's inability to create impactful plays downfield – Pittsburgh's longest gain against the Cowboys was a 21-yard reception by Pickens – Smith doesn't believe that limiting Pickens' playing time also limits the Steelers' ability to eat up big on offense. pieces.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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