Bears vs. Steelers: Look for more Markus Wheaton in Week 3

At the pace he's on, Steelers rookie wide receiver Markus Wheaton will have 96 snaps and zero catches on zero targets for his first year in the NFL.

According to Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, we should expect those numbers to increase a bit in Pittsburgh's Week 3 game against the Chicago Bears.

Speaking to Tribune-Review reporter Alan Robinson, Roethlisberger tipped a bit of the upcoming game plan.

"To me, he's more than ready to get in and start doing some stuff for us. I thought he would be in a little more (previously), but I think you'll start to see him getting in more this week."

For a receiving corps and an offense that's languishing away at or near the bottom in most offensive categories, it could be seen as a welcomed change. Battles between receivers and offensive coordinators, missed throws and the lack of ability to rush for positive yards are all contributing factors - if not signs of disenfranchisement with the game plans - to the Steelers' 0-2 start, their first since 2002.

Perhaps the idea is to get the explosive Wheaton in for certain plays. While Emmanuel Sanders has looked fairly decent on deep routes, the Steelers haven't connected on any big passing plays yet this year. Roethlisberger hit Sanders on a nice catch-and-run for 43 yards against Cincinnati, their longest play of the year, which set up a 1-yard touchdown pass, Roethlisberger to Derek Moye.

Or perhaps Wheaton can help with the running game. It seems slightly less than likely they'll call end-arounds for Jerricho Cotchery anymore. Wheaton's speed, along with Sanders' ability to get deep could be an asset against an outstanding Bears' secondary.

More from Behind the Steel Curtain:

• Le'Veon Bell is back on the field
• Browns trade Trent Richardson to Indianapolis Colts for first round pick
• Antonio Brown vs. Todd Haley: Drama now seated next to misery on Steelers' ship
• 5 Burning Questions on the Steelers in the Wake of the Bengals Loss
• Steelers vs. Bengals Review: Mike Adams, David Paulson struggled considerably
• Sharp decline in quarterback play over last nine games explains part of 2-7 record
• Steelers hiding outside zone running scheme
• Emmanuel Sanders, Troy Polamalu have the top Steelers grades after Week 2 loss

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