The 2013 rookie season for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Markus Wheaton didn’t go as planned as a finger injury suffered early in the year forced the Oregon State product to not only miss games, but valuable practice time as well.
This year, Wheaton, who is now operating as the starting wide receiver opposite Antonio Brown during OTA practices, admits things are going good for him so far this offseason.
“I’m comfortable for the most part,” said Wheaton. “I think that’s the biggest difference from last year. I’m a lot more comfortable and not thinking as much when I hear the play in breaking the huddle.”
Early in the offseason, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took Wheaton, Derek Moye and Justin Brown out to California in order to get some work in with them and those practices helped, according to Wheaton. Because of that, he feels like he’s close to being in sync with his quarterback.
“I think so. We obviously still have stuff to work on, but with what we did over the offseason and the little bit that we did during the season last year, I think we’re good,” said Wheaton, who caught six passes for 64 yards as a rookie.
As far as pressure running with the first team this year?
“I wouldn’t say pressure,” said Wheaton. “I’m getting a lot more reps. I’m having fun. It’s less watching, so I’m enjoying it.”
The Steelers second week of OTA practices are now over and the team will get back at it again next week.
