Tag: Diontae Johnson

Aug 19, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) warms up on the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Steelers WR Diontae Johnson out a ‘few weeks’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without wide receiver Diontae Johnson for a “few weeks” following a hamstring injury he sustained in the season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, ESPN reported Tuesday.

Johnson, the top option for quarterback Kenny Pickett, suffered the injury in the second half. He had three catches for 48 yards.

The 27-year-old Johnson, in his fifth season with the Steelers, was a Pro Bowl selection in 2021 after making 107 receptions for 1,161 yards with eight touchdowns in 16 games (14 starts). Last season, he started all 17 games and caught 86 passes for 882 yards but didn’t score.

He has 3,694 yards and 20 touchdowns in 65 career games (57 starts).

George Pickens, Calvin Austin and Allen Robinson likely will be the primary receivers in Johnson’s absence.

Also Sunday, the Steelers lost standout defensive lineman Cam Heyward for multiple weeks due to a groin injury.

Pittsburgh will host AFC North division rival Cleveland (1-0) on Monday.

–Field Level Media

Aug 19, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) warms up on the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers DT Cameron Heyward, WR Diontae Johnson hurt in opener

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers standout defensive tackle Cameron Heyward exited Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers due to a groin injury.

Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson (hamstring) and defensive end DeMarvin Leal (elbow) also suffered injuries. Pittsburgh later said Johnson won’t return.

Heyward initially left the game with the ailing groin before returning in the second quarter. But he injured it again and slowly limped off the field with 5:08 left in the first half.

Pittsburgh formally ruled out the six-time Pro Bowler in the third quarter.

Johnson injured his right hamstring after making a 26-yard reception with 13:50 left in the third period. He immediately grabbed for the hamstring after being tackled. Johnson had three receptions for 48 yards.

Leal was injured in the first half. He had two tackles.

–Field Level Media

Nov 28, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts tackle Braden Smith (72) blocks Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers’ TJ Watt, Diontae Johnson, Malik Reed ready to go

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Three Pittsburgh Steelers players listed as questionable on the injury report have been cleared to play Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.

Linebackers T.J. Watt and Malik Reed and wide receiver Diontae Johnson no longer have injury designations and are ready to take the field.

Watt, the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, has been dealing with a rib injury that’s limited his playing time and production over the past several weeks. He was limited in practice this past week, including being listed as out on Thursday.

Watt, 28, has also been troubled by a pectoral injury since Week 1.

“It’s tough,” Watt said on Friday. “It’s stuff out of my control. It’s been one thing after another this year, but I don’t want to miss any more games. I’m going to try my best to make it happen each and every week.”

Johnson, 26, has a hip issue that’s bothered him all season but to date has not kept him out of a game. He said he suffered a new hip injury in last Sunday’s 19-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Johnson logged a limited practice session on Wednesday then was also listed as “out” for Thursday’s practice.

Reed, 26, has played in all 12 games this season but had been nursing a back injury.

–Field Level Media

Aug 28, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) reacts after making a tackle in the backfield for a loss against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers stars T.J. Watt, Diontae Johnson injured in preseason finale

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt and wide receiver Diontae Johnson left the team’s preseason finale Sunday afternoon with injuries, although neither injury is expected to be serious.

Watt sustained a knee injury and Johnson hurt his shoulder. Both were ruled out for the rest of the game, but they returned from the locker room to stand on the sideline for the second half.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told the CBS broadcast that there was “no long-term concern at the moment” for either player. If it was a regular-season game, Tomlin suggested said players might have been able to return to the field.

Watt tied the NFL record with 22.5 sacks last season on his way to winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He signed a four-year contract extension worth more than $112 million before the start of the 2021 campaign.

Johnson led Pittsburgh in all major receiving categories last year collecting 107 receptions for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Jun 9, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) participates in minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers’ Diontae Johnson sued over youth camp no-show

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The organizers of the Diontae Johnson Youth Football Camp sued the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver over his failure to show up for the one-day event.

FlexWork Sports Management LLC contracted with Johnson to lend his name and make an appearance at the May 22 camp in Pittsburgh, and they contend they are out thousands in refunds and camp-related fees, plus damage to its reputation, because he wasn’t there.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Johnson’s representatives told the organizers 13 minutes before the starting time of the camp that Johnson’s flight to Pittsburgh from Florida on May 21 had been canceled due to weather and he would show up later on camp day. A second set of messages, according to the report, said Johnson left the airport because he didn’t want to wait for another flight.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and seeks unspecified damages. The Steelers were not affiliated with the camp.

The families of campers paid $125 and were to receive a “team photo” with Johnson, a T-shirt and other items. Additional chances to interact with Johnson were offered for an extra fee.

According to the report, Johnson, 26, and the organizers had an agreement that he would pay a fee of $2,250 if he were to cancel after April 5 as well as all expenses incurred by FlexWork.

The organizers said they refunded just shy of $37,000 in registration fees, as well as an equal amount of credit toward a future camp. They also paid more than $10,000 in expenses for things that included staff payroll and photographer fees.

If Johnson is found liable for any of the camp costs, he should be able to afford it. Last week, he signed a two-year contract extension that will run through the 2024 season and is worth up to $39.5 million, with incentives, and includes $27 million in guaranteed money, ESPN reported.

–Field Level Media

Jun 9, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) participates in minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Steelers reach 2-year extension with WR Diontae Johnson

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Bowl wide receiver Diontae Johnson have agreed on a two-year extension worth at least $36.71 million, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

The deal extends Johnson through the 2024 season and is worth up to $39.5 million, with incentives, and includes $27 million guaranteed, per ESPN.

Johnson, who had been a hold-in during training camp, was set to make $2.79 million this season in the final year of his rookie deal.

Johnson, 26, caught 107 passes for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns for the Steelers in 2021, earning his first Pro Bowl appearance.

For his career, Johnson has 254 catches for 2,764 yards and 20 TDs in 47 games (39 starts) since being taken in the third round of the 2019 draft by Pittsburgh.

–Field Level Media

Dec 26, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) runs the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers WR Dionte Johnson off COVID list after 1 day

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday, just one day after he was placed on it.

The Steelers (8-7-1) visit the Baltimore Ravens (8-8) on Sunday in the regular-season finale. Pittsburgh can clinch a playoff berth win a win as well as an Indianapolis Colts’ loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and any result other than a tie in the Las Vegas Raiders-Los Angeles Chargers game.

Johnson erupted for 105 receiving yards and two touchdowns in Pittsburgh’s 20-19 victory over Baltimore on Dec. 5.

Johnson, 25, has recorded team-leading — and career-high — totals in catches (100), receiving yards (1,110) and receiving touchdowns (eight) in 15 games (14 starts) this season. He has 247 catches for 2,713 yards and 20 scores in 46 career games since being selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Cornerback Joe Haden and rookie center Kendrick Green remain on the reserve/COVID-19 list for the Steelers.

Pittsburgh also announced linebacker Buddy Johnson has been placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.

–Field Level Media

Jan 3, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) warms up before he game against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers place Diontae Johnson, Kendrick Green on COVID list

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Pittsburgh Steelers placed wide receiver Diontae Johnson and rookie center Kendrick Green on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday.

Johnson, 25, has recorded team-leading — and career-high — totals in catches (100), receiving yards (1,110) and receiving touchdowns (eight) in 15 games (14 starts) this season. He has 247 catches for 2,713 yards and 20 scores in 46 career games since being selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Rookie running back Najee Harris (70 receptions), wide receiver Chase Claypool (54) and rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth (54) likely could see more targets for Pittsburgh (8-7-1), which visits the Baltimore Ravens (8-8) in the season finale on Sunday.

The Steelers need a win to keep their faint playoff hopes alive.

Green, 23, started the Steelers’ first 15 games this season before sitting out their 26-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Monday with a calf injury. He was selected by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) celebrate after a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers’ Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson to play vs. Packers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson were listed as full participants in practice on Friday and do not carry an injury designation into this weekend’s game against the host Green Bay Packers.

Fellow wide receiver Chase Claypool, however, did not participate in Friday’s practice due to a hamstring injury. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Packers (2-1) at Lambeau Field.

Claypool, 23, has 15 catches for a team-leading 211 receiving yards and no touchdowns this season for the Steelers (1-2).

Smith-Schuster, 24, sustained injured ribs in Pittsburgh’s 24-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday. He had three catches for 25 yards against the Bengals, raising his season totals to 13 receptions for 118 yards with no touchdowns.

Johnson, 25, is working his way past a knee injury. He has 14 catches for 141 yards and one touchdown in two games this season.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral) and linebackers T.J. Watt (groin) and Alex Highsmith (groin) were listed as full participants in Friday’s practice. The three players do not carry an injury designation into Sunday’s game.

Offensive tackles Rashaad Coward (ankle) and Chukwuma Okorafor (concussion) and defensive tackle Carlos Davis (knee) did not practice on Friday. Those three players have been ruled out versus Green Bay.

–Field Level Media

Sep 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) defends Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) after a catch during the third quarter at Heinz Field. Las Vegas won 26-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers WR Diontae Johnson not seriously injured Sunday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson avoided a serious knee injury Sunday when he crumpled into a heap on the final play of Pittsburgh’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Johnson grabbed his knee and grimaced as he hit the turf, but head coach Mike Tomlin said Monday the Steelers consider Johnson week-to-week following further evaluation.

The Steelers were hit hard by injuries on Sunday with cornerback Joe Haden (groin) inactive, outside linebacker T.J. Watt (groin) leaving the game and defensive lineman Tyson Alualu carted off with a fractured ankle. Alualu could miss 4-6 weeks.

Johnson led the Steelers with nine receptions for 105 yards and was targeted a team-high 12 times in Week 2.

Johnson was also targeted a team-high 10 times in Week 1 at Buffalo and caught five passes for 36 yards and a toe-dragging touchdown against the Bills.

The Steelers (1-1) play the Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media