Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has come under fire for his effort at times during the 2023 NFL season. So much so this week that Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin spent most of his Wednesday press conference talking about his efforts to help Pickens improve, mature and grow.

Tomlin said Pickens wouldn’t be benched “because he’s got talents. We want to utilize them.”

Pittsburgh did just that on the Steelers’ second snap against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, Pickens caught a short pass and outran the defense for an 86-yard touchdown with 10:45 left in the first quarter.

Pickens caught the touchdown pass from quarterback Mason Rudolph, who made his first start of the season on Saturday.

Pickens’ touchdown reception supplanted an 83-yard run by New York Jets running back Breece Hall against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 11 as the longest gainer from scrimmage in the NFL this season.

The only longer scoring play in 2023 is a 99-yard kickoff return by Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 24.

The 86-yard touchdown reception was the longest play of Pickens’ NFL career. He had a 71-yard touchdown reception against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 18.

Pickens was an All-State selection for Hoover in 2017, when the Bucs won the AHSAA Class 7A championship, and 2018.

A second-round selection from Georgia in the 2022 NFL Draft, Pickens entered Saturday’s game with 52 receptions for 814 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games this season.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.