Steelers update injury status of receivers Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson

There has been a positive update to the injury status of Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Chase Claypool, with NBC’s Pro Football Talk reporting Monday that he took part in practice. It was the first time Claypool has seen the field since July 29, when injured his shoulder.

But while good news arrived for Claypool, bad news followed for another Steelers receiver. Diontae Johnson was held out of practice Monday with a hip flexor injury. Coach Mike Tomlin told reporters that the team’s hope is that it is merely a day-to-day injury.

A Pro Bowler this past season, Johnson led Pittsburgh with 1,161 yards receiving and eight touchdowns on 107 catches. Claypool finished second on the team with 59 catches, 860 yards and two touchdowns. The pair are likely to continue to serve as the No. 1 and No. 2 options for the Steelers this upcoming season as they look to replace longtime starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Pittsburgh lost receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to free agency this offseason but added rookies George Pickens and Calvin Austin III through the draft. Claypool has been highly complimentary of Pickens so far, claiming that he will be “the best rookie receiver in the NFL” this season.

So far this offseason, quarterback Mitch Trubisky has been getting the first team reps, while first round pick Kenny Pickett and fifth-year veteran Mason Rudolph have both worked with the second team. However, Tomlin later clarified that he plans to rotate all three quarterbacks throughout the offseason and fans shouldn’t read too much into who is with what team.

Hopefully we’ll get another injury update from the Steelers as it pertains to Diontae Johnson soon. Pittsburgh is scheduled to play its first preseason game on Saturday, so news is likely to come before then. The Steelers will open the regular season on Sept. 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals.