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Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (20) breaks up a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) in the endzone during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023.
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Steelers hopeful WR Diontae Johnson adds 'spark' to dormant offense

AP

Steelers hopeful WR Diontae Johnson adds 'spark' to dormant offense

Kenny Pickett has had his top two wide receivers on the field for only two quarters this season. And it has been reflected in the performance of an offense that might need to hire a private investigator to find some points.

That’s why he is energized about the hopeful return of Diontae Johnson, a receiver who can get open in a hallway closet.

“Diontae brings another element with his route running and ability to get separation and get open,” Pickett said.

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Johnson has spent the past four weeks on injured reserve after injuring his right hamstring on the first play of the second half in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers. That is a long enough stretch to be without a receiver who has averaged 94 receptions and 989 receiving yards the past three seasons.

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Johnson is eligible to return Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, and the offense will be glad to have him back. His return coincides with the return of tight end Pat Freiermuth, who missed one game with a hamstring injury.

That means Pickett will have his top three receivers together for the first time in 4 ½ games.

“I’m very excited,” Johnson said. “It’s been a long process fighting to get back. I’m looking forward to showing them I’m ready.”

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Johnson’s return — he had appeared in 32 consecutive games before his injury — will be a benefit on many fronts.

It will give Pickett, who has struggled with accuracy, a receiver he knows will consistently get open against any coverage. It will create even more room for George Pickens, who has averaged 21 yards a catch since Johnson has been out.

And it should give the offense, which has produced just 32 points in the first half this season, a chance to start faster.

“We’ve got to start fast. That’s been our main focus,” Johnson said on Wednesday, his first day back at practice. “If we don’t start fast, we’ll play behind the sticks and it will be a tough, long game. As long as we start fast, be in front of everything, we’ll be fine. Just don’t overthink and try to do stuff we’re not used to doing.”

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Not since Antonio Brown have the Steelers had a receiver who gets in and out of his breaks like Johnson.

Coach Mike Tomlin called him an “expert” route runner, a receiver who can “can create separation at break points. That is his distinguishing trait, but that is no secret.”

Cornerback Patrick Peterson, who faced Johnson when he was with the Minnesota Vikings, said: “He’s just a very polished receiver. That’s what makes him a tough guard because he’s able to create that separation at the top of his routes.”

Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick sees it just about every day in practice when Johnson is healthy.

“His shiftiness, his quickness allow him to win one-on-ones,” Fitzpatrick said. “If you put doubles on him, it allows other guys like [Pickens] and [Pat] Freiermuth and Allen [Robinson] to get open. He’s a really good route runner. He’s savvy. He knows how to get open.”

And maybe that will help jump-start the offense.

The Steelers have started slow in every game — not that the second half has been much better — with just two offensive touchdowns in the first 10 quarters.

That has been reflected by Pickett’s statistical performance in the early portions of games. His completion percentage (54.3) and passer rating (66.38) in the first half is not as good as the second half, when he completes 65.3% of his attempts (51 of 78 for 597 yards) with a passer rating of 91.67. Only one of his four interceptions has come after halftime.

“He’s just a really talented player overall,” Pickett said of Johnson. “He does a lot different things really well for us. I feel like he’s another guy, if he’s one-on-one, he’s going to win for me. It’s awesome to have.”

Johnson thinks he can help the offense start faster because of the types of plays he can create. That was the case on the play in which he was injured against the 49ers — a 26-yard catch-and-run on the first play of the third quarter.

“It’s that spark,” Johnson said. “Me being able to get open, getting comfortable with Kenny out there, knowing who’s going to be open, gives the offense a little spark, to play fast. Kenny’s comfortable. He doesn’t have to worry about who he’s unsure about.”

It should also help Pickens, who has done his part to help the offense in the four games without Johnson.

Pickens has 17 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns, including the winning 41-yard touchdown in the final minutes to beat the Baltimore Ravens, since Johnson was hurt. His six catches for 130 yards against the Ravens was his best game as a professional.

Now Pickett gets them both together for the first time since the first play of the second half against the 49ers.

“It allows us to get back to doing what we do best, which is throwing the football and making plays,” Johnson said. “George is going to be George out there. He and I feed off each other. When he makes a play, I make a play. I love that.”

First Published: October 18, 2023, 7:20 p.m.

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