Steelers Star Receiver Diontae Johnson Will Miss Multiple Weeks After Falling Victim To A Hamstring Injury

The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2023 season could not have started any worse. Not only did the team get absolutely destroyed by the San Francisco 49ers, but they also lost many important players due to injury. Cam Heyward is expected to be out for up to eight weeks with a groin injury, possibly needing surgery. Now, wide receiver Diontae Johnson is battling a hamstring injury he suffered during the game that is expected to keep him out for a couple of weeks. 

Steelers' Loss Of Johnson Will Be Crucial

Adam Schefter originally broke the news Tuesday morning that Johnson's hamstring injury would keep him sidelined for a couple of weeks. Hopefully Johnson is able to recover quickly, as he has never missed more than one game in a season in his career. He is an extremely important piece of the offense. Before suffering the injury on Sunday, he had three receptions for 48 yards. He should have had another reception for a walk-in touchdown, but was missed by second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett as the no-touchdown curse continues for the former Toledo standout.

Johnson is likely definitely out for the Steelers' next match up against the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football in Week 2, but hopefully he can recover fast enough to be available to play in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. During the game against the 49ers in Week 1, the connection between Johnson and Pickett looked like the only good thing the offense had going for them. Three receptions for 48 yards aren't necessarily amazing numbers, but it was by far the most effective part of the offense as they struggled to do almost anything else. 

Who Will Fill Johnson's Shoes? 

Obviously with Johnson going down, second-year receiver George Pickens will be the Steelers first option at wide receiver moving forward. Behind him is still Allen Robinson, who will likely remain in the slot. The wide receiver seeing the largest jump in playing time will be Calvin Austin III. It's unclear if he play primarily on the outside or play some in the slot. He and Robinson might interchange, but will know later as the Steelers prepare throughout this week. 

Robinson was the Steelers leading receiver in Week 1, recording five receptions for 64 yards. Pickens and Austin III each had six receptions with Pickens recording 36 receiving yards and Austin III having 37. Despite the injury to Johnson, the three pass catchers that Pickett threw to the most in Week 1 will be his top three receivers for the next couple of weeks while Johnson recovers. 

Another receiver who might start seeing the field is Gunner Olszewski. He was a healthy inactive for Week 1, but now that Johnson is hurt, it can be expected for Olszewski to be out on the field this Monday. Pickett threw with him a lot in the offseason and has praised Olszewski for his work ethic and route running. In addition to what he might add to the offense, he is also an option at punt returner. With Austin III seeing more playing time on the offense, it will be good to have another effective punt returner on the active roster. 

The injury to Johnson is disappointing and it is no question that all Steelers fans want to see him out there catching footballs every game day. However, a hamstring injury is nothing to rush back from since they are easy to re-aggravate. While Johnson takes his time with his recovery, the Steelers will still be putting out a fully capable group at the wide receiver position. With the veteran presence of Robinson, and the young potential of both Pickens and Austin III, this offense still has the ability to make plays. It's just up to Pickett to make them and for Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada to put him in position to do so.

How do you think the Steelers passing game will look without Johnson? Let us know in the comments below!

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