Oct 16, 2014 3 min read

PITTSBURGH – While head coach Mike Tomlin talked earlier this week about turning over every stone to help the Steelers solve their issues, wide receiver Markus Wheaton had a different plan.

He went to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and asked him to go over tape of last week’s 31-10 loss at Cleveland and explain what the quarterback was seeing on each play and what he expected of his receivers.

“He came to me a lot the last game and we didn’t connect,” said Wheaton, who is in his second season with the Steelers but first as a starter. “I wanted to find out why.”

Roethlisberger threw 11 passes in Wheaton’s direction against the Browns. But the two hooked up for just four completions for 33 yards.

By comparison, Roethlisberger completed seven of his 10 attempts to Antonio Brown for 118 yards.

“There are some things that we ironed out,” Roethlisberger said. “I think that speak volumes about him wanting to get in there, wanting to learn (and) to be corrected. I broke down every single pass play that he did and told him what I expected, what I thought he did right or wrong. He’s the type of guy who’s going to take that and make him better. I have all the confidence in the world that Markus will be better than ever.”

Wheaton missed a large portion of his rookie season with a broken finger that required two surgeries to correct. But after stepping into the starting lineup this season after Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery left as free agents, Wheaton had six receptions for 97 yards in a season-opening win over Cleveland.

That has been the high point of this season. Wheaton has caught just five passes for 50 yards in the past two weeks as the Steelers continue to search for the right mix of receivers to work opposite Brown.

Wheaton has 24 receptions for 277 yards and has yet to score a touchdown. Justin Brown had been used primarily as the No. 3 receiver but gave way to Lance Moore last week. That trio has combined for one touchdown, that by Moore in the closing moments of the loss to the Browns.

When the Steelers host Houston (3-3) Monday night, they plan to give 6-4 rookie Martavis Byant, who has been inactive for the first six games, a chance to play.

“We might as well try every option we have,” said Roethlisberger.

Bryant has been working with Roethlisberger this week, trying to get his timing down with the quarterback.

“So far, so good,” said offensive coordinator Todd Haley. “It’s a little different (in practice). Now you have to start thinking a little bit. He’s working hard, studying. He made some plays today.”

Wheaton hopes he can be part of the answer to the Steelers’ red-zone woes. Pittsburgh has scored one touchdown in its past seven trips inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, where they are 7-for-19 in scoring touchdowns.

“There were little things that I was doing that I shouldn’t have been doing that would have helped,” Wheaton said. “Once I eliminate those, we’ll be in a better position.”

Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said cornerbacks Brice McCain and Cortez Allen will flip roles this week, with McCain playing in the base defense and Allen being the nickel cornerback. … Fullback Will Johnson (illness), defensive end Brett Keisel (knee) and safety Mike Mitchell (knee) did not practice because of injuries. … Defensive end Cam Heyward (ankle), linebacker Ryan Shazier (knee) and safety Sharmarko Thomas (hamstring) were limited during practice.