James Washington caught himself as he lauded the stability Diontae Johnson would bring to the Steelers offense Sunday, if healthy enough to play against the Cincinnati Bengals.
After all, Johnson is a rookie. But it’s easy to forget that when you reel off the names that comprise the Steelers receiving corps these days, from the top to the bottom of the practice squad roster.
“He just kind of has that — I wouldn't say experience, but someone who just knows what his role is,” Washington said Wednesday after practice, the team’s first since its disheartening 21-7 loss at Cleveland.
Washington and Johnson both might share the role of de facto No. 1 receiver this week in Cincinnati. JuJu Smith-Schuster isn't expected to play as he recovers from a concussion and now deals with a knee injury, but the injury outlook for Johnson was rosier to begin this week of preparation. Johnson was a full participant in practice, Washington confirmed, despite the third-round pick leaving Thursday’s game because of a scary helmet-to-helmet hit that had Johnson dripping blood from his right ear.
Washington even said he expects that Johnson will be available against the Bengals, which would mean he’s cleared the league’s concussion protocol by then.
“Oh for sure,” Washington said. “I guess it’s still in the air, but he practiced today, he looked good, said he felt good, so that’s a plus.”
As for Smith-Schuster, he’s “doing good, mentally and physically,” according to Washington, but the two haven't talked about Smith-Schuster’s injury status.
The other guys
If the second-year Washington and first-year Johnson operate as Mason Rudolph’s top two pass-catchers in Week 12, then who’s next? It could be Tevin Jones, promoted from the practice squad for the first time on the day of the Browns game, or Johnny Holton.
The dark horse might be Deon Cain, signed off the Indianapolis practice squad Saturday, who can't be much less productive a deep threat than special teamer Holton (one catch for 18 yards on 13 targets) has been in that role all season.
“I saw an athlete. He’s fast, that’s for sure. He’s confident,” Washington said of Cain’s first practice with his new team. “He actually came in and he’s learning his plays and stuff pretty well. It'll be a plus to have him out there.”
It was also the first on-field work here for the other addition to the skill positions: running back Kerrith Whyte. When you’re likely swapping in Cain and Whyte for Smith-Schuster and Conner for a must-win AFC North matchup, there’s little time to get familiar with the new faces in the huddle.
“It’ll be a little different not having some of the guys out there,” Washington said, “but it’s a week that we’ve just got to bounce back and make due with what we have.”
Back in the saddle
B.J. Finney, fond of wearing a cowboy hat on game days, has one start under his belt this season, but he now figures to get back in the lineup at a different spot. With Maurkice Pouncey facing a three-game suspension for his role in the altercation between the Steelers and Browns, the fourth-year backup interior lineman will step in at center for as long as he’s needed.
That means snapping to Rudolph, often in the shotgun, which had been an issue at times this year for Pouncey and the first-year starter.
“What is this, Year 2, 3 for him?” Finney said of Rudolph. “Yeah, I've been working with him for two or three years, so it's nothing big for us. We’ve had all spring, training camp, that kind of stuff. It’s just another day.”
The Steelers likely will call up practice squad center Patrick Morris to the 53-man roster once Pouncey’s spot opens; Wednesday, they added Alabama alumnus J.C. Hassenauer — who was with the team for training camp -— to the practice squad and released Pine-Richland High School graduate Kevin Rader, a tight end.
Finney replaced Ramon Foster at left guard against Indianapolis four weeks ago when Foster was recovering from a concussion. Foster also missed the next game against the Los Angeles Rams, but instead of giving Finney another start, the Steelers moved Matt Feiler from right tackle to left guard and went with second-year reserve Chuks Okorafor at right tackle to emphasize their pass protection.
“As a professional athlete, obviously, any time you don't get to play, it motivates you,” Finney said. “I don't like sitting on the sideline, but, honestly, that’s my job right now.”
Not anymore, it’s not.
Chipper Skipper
Outside linebacker Tuzar Skipper is back on the roster for the first time since he was waived just before the season opener at New England. It’s a thrill for the star of Steelers preseason, when he posted five sacks over four games.
“I was surprised getting released, but I was even happier knowing I was coming back,” Skipper said. “Because I liked it here. The people are great, the fans are great, the teammates are wonderful and the coaches are even better.
“This was a good spot, a good place, it just had to end a little early. But we’re back where we left off.”
The Steelers’ outside linebacker situation has been in flux over recent weeks, first with Anthony Chickillo’s placement on the commissioner’s list because of his arrest, then with the health of the two backups, Chickillo and Ola Adeniyi. Chickillo was inactive against the Browns because of a rib injury, and Adeniyi is now in the NFL concussion protocol himself after leaving early in the Cleveland game.
Injury report
Smith-Schuster, running back James Conner (shoulder) and tight end Nick Vannett (illness) were the only Steelers who didn't practice for health reasons, according to the team's official injury report. Outside linebacker Bud Dupree was limited with an arm injury, which bears watching for the rest of the week, as was cornerback Artie Burns (knee).
Running back Benny Snell, who hasn't played since Oct. 28, was a full participant for the first time since having knee surgery, as was Adeniyi. Inside linebacker Mark Barron, tight end Vance McDonald and center Maurkice Pouncey were out of practice but not for injury reasons. Wednesday is a typical rest day for all three, and Pouncey likely won't find out the result of his suspension appeal until later in the week.
First Published: November 20, 2019, 8:36 p.m.
