George Pickens gives horrible explanation for quitting on key play

Pittsburgh Steelers fans were furious when they saw the lack of effort George Pickens gave on a key play last week, and the wide receiver’s explanation will only add to the frustration.

Pickens made one of the most pathetic block attempts you will ever see on a running play inside the 10 early in Pittsburgh’s 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Jaylen Warren took a pitch from the seven-yard line and looked like he had a chance to score, but Pickens did not even try to block Colts cornerback Jaylon Jones. Warren was stopped just short of the goal line. You can see the video here.

Pickens was asked on Tuesday about the play. He admitted that he gave up on the block, but he defended the decision. Pickens said he was trying to avoid an injury.

“I was just trying to prevent the Tank Dell situation, the same thing that happened to Tank Dell. I didn’t wanna get an injury,” Pickens said, via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “When you stay on the block too long you can get ran up on very easily. All the people that’s questioning my effort, they don’t play football. They do what y’all (the media) do.”

The play Pickens referenced was in Week 13, when Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell had his leg rolled on while blocking near the goal line. He suffered a broken fibula and will miss the remainder of the season.