Markus Wheaton injury: Steelers WR ruled out for Week 8

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Markus Wheaton has been ruled out for Week 8 by head coach Mike Tomlin, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Wheaton, a rookie taken in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, broke his pinky in Week 4 and has been inactive since. He had to have surgery on the pinky after sustaining the injury.

Wheaton saw his first significant action of the season in that Week 4 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He caught three passes for 26 yards, and saw five targets on the day. The Steelers like his speed and the potential for making big plays -- something the offense has lacked through the first seven games of the season.

Unfortunately, he'll miss his third straight game when the Steelers take on the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Wheaton would be missing his fourth if not for a bye week immediately after the Minnesota game. The Steelers have made it a point to rule Wheaton out early in the week so we should know, once again, around next Tuesday if there's any chance of him playing in Week 9.