Pittsburgh Steelers update Thursday injury report, Cameron Heyward added
Ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season-opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, both teams have released their initial injury reports for Week 1, and unfortunately for Pittsburgh, injuries are starting to pile up, doubling since Wednesday’s report.
Did Not Participate: DT Cameron Heyward (coach’s decision), OL Chukwuma Okorafor (back)
Limited Participation: WR Diontae Johnson (shoulder/cramps), DB Marcus Allen (hamstring)
During Pittsburgh’s preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, Johnson was injured after hauling in an impressive catch down the left sideline for 38 yards in tight coverage. According to a report from the game, Johnson landed awkwardly on the reception and was ruled out for the remainder of the game by the Steelers.
New on the list, Johnson is now dealing with cramps – whether that is to his shoulder or another part of his body has not been disclosed.
Even more importantly, former All-Pro defensive lineman Cameron Hayward didn’t practice Thursday due to head coach Mike Tomlin’s decision, but was not on the IR Wednesday. The same goes for offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor.
Steelers wideout Diontae Johnson provides update on shoulder injury ahead of Week 1
Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson suffered a shoulder injury during Pittsburgh’s final preseason game against the Detroit Lions over the past weekend.
Ahead of Week 1, Johnson gave an update on where he is on the road of recovery ahead of the Steelers’ season-opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“It’s annoying,” Johnson said Wednesday, via Mike Giardi on Twitter. “I tried to do everything I could (at practice Wednesday), what my arm will allow me to do. I’m doing everything I can literally to try to get back to the guys this Sunday. I’m taking it one day at a time. We gonna see where it goes.”
Johnson was listed as a ‘limited participant‘ at Steelers practice today, but according to Giardi, the Pittsburgh wideout went through individual team drills with little problems and “no real limitations” to the shoulder he injured last week.
His status for Sunday’s game is still up in the air, but if Wednesday’s performance at practice is any indication, Johnson’s injury doesn’t seem to be serious and looks to be back sooner rather than later.