Wheaton (undisclosed) was held out of Thursday's preseason game against the Eagles, Jacob Klinger of PennLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Despite returning to practice Monday, the 25-year-old Wheaton was held out for a second straight preseason game. He should be back for Pittsburgh's third exhibition, scheduled for next Friday against the Saints. With Antonio Brown (coach's decision) also missing Thursday's game, the Steelers deployed Sammie Coates, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Eli Rogers as the first-team wideouts. Wheaton is locked in as one of the team's top-three wideouts, but it's unclear exactly how he'll be deployed, and he may have to fight for his snaps in two-wide sets.

Wheaton (undisclosed) returned to practice Monday, The Beaver County Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though he has apparently been dealing with a minor injury, Wheaton might have been held out of the first preseason game even if he had been healthy. He should be back for Thursday's exhibition against the Eagles, and he could see plenty of targets in the absence of Antonio Brown, Le'Veon Bell, DeAngelo Williams and Ben Roethlisberger -- all being held out as a precautionary measure. With Martavis Bryant (suspension) out for the year, Wheaton and Sammie Coates are competing for targets, though both figure to see plenty of snaps in the three-wide sets that comprise most of Pittsburgh's offense.

Wheaton didn't suit up for Friday's preseason game against the Lions, Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wheaton is among a number of Steelers looking to scoop up the targets left behind by the suspended Martavis Bryant and (to a lesser extent) retired Heath Miller. Moreover, there's a chance that do-it-all back Le'Veon Bell kicks off the season with a three-game ban, and free-agent pickup Ladarius Green's (ankle/head) health is hampering his ability to get on the field. With plenty of passes to go around, Wheaton's role has increased in each of his three seasons, culminating in 44 catches (on 79 targets) for 749 yards and five touchdowns. He may not be the best bet to fill in for Bryant, though, as Sammie Coates better mimics his size and skill set combination.

Wheaton is not slated to play in the Steelers' preseason opener Friday against the Lions, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wheaton is one of many key pieces of the Steelers offense who isn't expected to play Friday. Coach Mike Tomlin's decision to keep Wheaton out solidifies his status as the No. 2 receiver on the depth chart behind Antonio Brown at this point. Sammie Coates and Darrius Heyward-Bey figure to start Friday with quarterbacks Bruce Gradkowski and Landry Jones likely sharing duties at the helm.

Wheaton remains ahead of Sammie Coates on Pittsburgh's wide receiver depth chart, according to ESPN.com senior NFL writer Jeremy Fowler.

EDGE Analysis

The year-long suspension of Martavis Bryant has led to speculation that there might be a competition between Wheaton and Coates for the WR2 position and, while Coates has looked impressive in practice, it would be shocking to see him surpass Wheaton before a single preseason down has been played. Coates has an advantage in terms of height, standing at 6-1 compared to Wheaton's 5-11 frame, but Wheaton has proven his abilities on the field, while Coates has one career reception to his credit. Regardless of how the depth chart plays out, both should see a respectable number of targets in the high-powered Steeler offense.

Wheaton figures to have more plays designed for him this season if teammate Martavis Bryant is indeed suspended for the entire campaign, ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wheaton was expected to see an uptick in production while Bryant was suspended for the first four games of last season, but some chemistry problems with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger produced mixed results over that span. Nonetheless, Wheaton and Big Ben seemed to develop a better understanding as the season unfolded, evidenced by his four touchdowns in Pittsburgh's last six games. Now, with Bryant potentially sidelined for the whole season, Wheaton should have a chance to continue such improvement as the clear-cut No. 2 wideout behind star Antonio Brown, and the fact Wheaton will be in the final year of his rookie contract provides further incentive for him to take advantage of the opportunity at hand.

Wheaton caught five of eight targets for 30 yards in Pittsburgh's loss to Denver on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

With Antonio Brown (concussion) unavailable, it was thought that Wheaton could see an uptick in his production, but all of his receptions were for short yardage, although that may also have been a product of Ben Roethlisberger's injured shoulder. Clearly behind Brown and Martavis Bryant on the depth chart, Wheaton finished the regular season catching 44 of 79 targets for 749 yards and five touchdowns. He also contributed 105 yards on five kick returns. Although Wheaton saw a decline in receptions from 2014 (53), he more than doubled his touchdown production and had 105 more receiving yards, increasing his average catch by nearly five yards (from 12.2 to 17.0). Wheaton caught a pass in all 16 games this season, and has now had at least one reception in 25 consecutive games. Along with Brown and Bryant, Wheaton gives the Steelers one of the league's best trio of receivers heading in to next season.

Wheaton caught 2-of-5 targets for 23 yards Saturday in the Steelers' win over the Bengals.

EDGE Analysis

Wheaton fumbled in the first half, and went without a reception in the second half, of a sloppy game. Pittsburgh will need more from Wheaton in Week 19 against Denver, who he beat for six catches for 62 yards and a touchdown earlier this season, especially if Antonio Brown (concussion) is unable to play.

Wheaton caught 3-of-5 targets for 57 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers' win over the Browns on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The 57 yards increased Wheaton's single-season career high for receiving yards to 749 (644 in 2014), and his eight-yard touchdown reception from Ben Roethlisberger in the fourth quarter was the third-year receiver's fourth in the last six games.

Wheaton had 41 yards on three receptions in Pittsburgh's loss to Baltimore on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The passing game struggled to do much of anything against the Ravens, generating its lowest yardage total since Week 7 with Jarvis Landry under center. As a result, Wheaton was a non-factor after putting up decent numbers over the past four games. For fantasy owners still playing in Week 17, Wheaton faces a Cleveland pass defense that limited him to just 18 yards on two receptions earlier this season.