Steelers’ Pickens set to return after 3 games out

PITTSBURGH — Santa Claus might be a Yinzer.

After missing three games with a hamstring injury, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is off the injury report and expected to play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day.

“I feel good, but who makes the decision is the coaches and the doctors,” Pickens said Monday. “So just whatever they tell me to do I’m doing.”

Not only are the Steelers getting their top wide receiver back for the holiday showdown with the AFC’s top team, but safety DeShon Elliott, cornerback Donte Jackson and defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi are all without game designations on the Steelers’ final injury report and are expected to play.

Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (knee) and wide receiver Ben Skowronek (hip) are out after sustaining injuries in Saturday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Backup quarterback Justin Fields is questionable with an abdominal injury. He missed Saturday’s game with the same injury.

Pickens was mum on his status when he spoke after Monday’s practice, but he along with Elliott and Jackson were listed as full participants for the team’s Monday walk-through and Tuesday practice. The Steelers have missed Pickens during his three-week absence, dropping their past two games against the Eagles and Ravens.

“I mean, a lot,” Pickens said of how much the offense has missed him. “I want to be out there with the guys, but they did their best to fight hard to try to get a dub, try to get a victory.”

The Steelers (10-5) are tied atop the AFC North standings with the Ravens (10-5) with two games to play. The Ravens also play on Wednesday, against the Houston Texans (9-6).

The Chiefs (14-1), meanwhile, would clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed, the lone bye and home-field advantage throughout the conference’s playoffs with a win or tie Wednesday.