Steelers Get Explosive Receiver Back From Injury While Pat Freiermuth Is Grounded Once Again

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been battling injuries throughout the 2023 season, and it has seemed like every time they take one step forward, something slides them backward again. Ahead of their Week 7 clash with the Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh will be getting their dynamic receiver, Diontae Johnson back from injury. That celebration may be cut short, though, as the bad news was that Pat Freiermuth was placed on IR.

Steelers Anxious To Have Johnson Back

Johnson came into the 2023 season with a ton to prove after getting a two-year extension of his contract in August of 2022. The pristine route runner has been a polarizing character in Pittsburgh, with some defending him for his irreplaceable talents. The other half, though, is concerned about his tendency to run backward and drop important passes.

His 2023 campaign was cut short rather suddenly in the third quarter of the Steelers Week 1 game against the San Francisco 49ers. After making a 26-yard gain, Johnson reached for his hamstring and that has kept him out of every game since.

After weeks of waiting and patience on the part of Johnson, the Steelers are overjoyed to have another weapon to hopefully jumpstart Pittsburgh's ailing offense. George Pickens will certainly benefit from Johnson's return as well, with the second-year receiver getting the double-teams and focus that are usually reserved for Johnson. Now, opposing defenses will have to choose which wideout to give more attention to, leaving the other with more opportunities to showcase why they are in the NFL.

Even with Pickens growing each week, Johnson has still been Pittsburgh's leading receiver for four seasons, including his 2021 Pro Bowl year. Despite all the questions about his catching ability and desire to mimic Antonion Brown by running all over the field, this is a welcome addition. Even if the offense were performing adequately, Johnson would bring a great deal to the table, but the portions are meager on this Steelers offense, and they need all the help they can get.

Steelers To Be Without Freiermuth For Near Future

While the Steelers may be celebrating the return of Johnson to the roster, Freiermuth won't be a part of Pittsburgh's plans, at least for the next couple of weeks. The Steelers officially moved the young tight end to IR, meaning that during the rehab, it will be Darnell Washington who will be getting the lion's share of the snaps.

Freiermuth was starting to feel good after working back from a hamstring injury, but then this week, something just wasn't right. On Thursday, he was limited during practice, and by Friday, he wasn't on the practice field at all. This is certainly concerning news for the Steelers, who have been struggling to get their passing or running offense going in 2023. While Freiermuth was never a celebrated blocker, losing him as a receiving target is something that Kenny Pickett will be aware of.

Trying to fill those shoes will be Washington, whose 6'7", 265-pound frame makes him a looming worry for defenses. The one thing to look forward to after all of the injury news is that Washington is a more accomplished blocking tight end than Freiermuth, so perhaps this could boost the running game.

The Steelers offense needs every single bit of help that it can get right now. Pittsburgh ranks at the bottom of the league in practically every single offensive category, and what's worse is that the performance on the field has actually felt lower than those statistics. 

With Freiermuth out for the foreseeable future, this could signal an offensive strategy where the Steelers try to incorporate their downfield weapons more than forcing a rushing attack. Pickett has Pickens, Washington, Calvin Austin III, and now Johnson back on the field to spark something in this offense. If Johnson's return can't get this team going, then 2023 is going to be much longer than any of us possibly considered.

What will Diontae Johnson add to the offense going forward? 

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