Steelers injury report: Markus Wheaton to miss second straight game

Steelers rookie wide receiver Markus Wheaton will miss his second consecutive game when the Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7.

Wheaton broke his pinkie finger against Minnesota in Week 4, an injury that required surgery. He missed the team's Week 6 game against the Jets, after undergoing the procedure during the team's bye week.

Jerricho Cotchery was splitting snaps with Wheaton, with the veteran getting the majority of them, so it's not a tremendous loss. However, it's something of a step backward for his development. The Steelers are getting rookies more playing time than usual - Vince Williams and Jarvis Jones both start at inside and outside linebacker, respectively, despite rookies historically barely seeing the field as rookies - and Wheaton figures to be a key player in the future.

The fact he was ruled out so early in the week suggests he may be out for a little while yet, but the Steelers' offense has been playing well recently, particularly in the passing game.

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