Steelers' George Pickens explains lack of effort to block: 'I didn’t want to get injured'

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Second-year NFL receiver George Pickens drew the ire of fans and others after he decided not to block during a running play in a recent Pittsburgh Steelers loss.

At one point during last Saturday's game against the Indianapolis Colts, Jaylen Warren was stopped short of the end zone. Multiple Colts defenders were able to tackle Warren, partly due to Pickens' lack of effort to throw a block.

Pickens addressed his reluctance to throw a block on Tuesday, saying he was hoping to avoid injury. 

"I didn't want to get injured," Pickens said Tuesday, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "When you stay in and block somebody, you can get run on very easily."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens, #14, looks on during the regular season NFL football game between the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 7, 2023 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Pickens cited the season-ending injury Texans rookie sensation Tank Dell recently suffered when the wide receiver was blocking on a play. Dell fractured his fibula when he was rolled up on the play.

TOM BRADY DEFENDS STEELERS' DAMONTAE KAZEE AFTER BIG NFL SUSPENSION: 'JUST FLAT OUT WRONG'

"I was trying to prevent the Tank Dell situation, the same thing that happened to Tank Dell," Pickens said, via 93.7 The Fan. "You stay and block too long you can get run up on very easily."

George Pickens, #14 of the Pittsburgh Steelers, looks on during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Nov. 19, 2023 in Cleveland. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty