After heading into final week’s recreation mainly at full energy, the Steelers have a couple of extra bumps and bruises this week as they get able to host the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night time Soccer at Acrisure Stadium.
Receiver Diontae Johnson (hamstring) has been dominated out after struggling his harm in opposition to the 49ers final week. Johnson missed apply all week and he shall be sidelined. As well as, receiver George Pickens was added to the harm report, restricted with a hamstring harm, however he’s not on the standing report for the sport.
With Johnson out, will probably be receiver by committee per offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Quarterback Kenny Pickett echoed that sentiment.
“I feel it is by committee,” mentioned Pickett. “Clearly, Diontae is a extremely good participant, does so many good issues for us, and was actually type of trending in the correct approach. I assumed we had an amazing offseason and had been doing nice issues within the recreation. Everybody’s obtained to step up and choose it up. It could possibly’t simply be one man. However I had a ton of reps with everyone. So, I am assured they’re going to go on the market and execute.”
The entire receivers shall be referred to as upon, however one different participant anticipated to have a bigger position is second-year receiver Calvin Austin III, somebody Pickett has loads of confidence in.
“Yeah, it has been excessive. It is at all times been excessive on Calvin,” mentioned Pickett. “He does an amazing job. He labored so arduous, at all times the place I wanted him to be, so I feel that is why we’ve got success working collectively and I am excited to get again on the market on Monday and proceed that success.”
The staff additionally promoted Dez Fitzpatrick from the apply squad to the lively roster. Fitzpatrick was drafted by the Tennessee Titans within the fourth spherical of the 2021 NFL Draft. He performed in 4 video games in 2021 and was on the Titans apply squad in 2022, taking part in in a single recreation. Fitzpatrick has 5 receptions for 49 yards and a landing in 5 common season video games.
He did not know what sort of position he would have however is able to assist the offense or on particular groups.
“I can play an excellent quantity of positions on the sphere, from particular groups to outdoors receiver, inside receiver,” mentioned Fitzpatrick. “It is a plug and play mentality for me.
“My particular groups means has grown. That is extra of a want-to. That is what Danny (Smith) at all times says, that is what my dad says, that is what most coaches at all times say. If you would like greater than the man throughout the sphere, you might be most certainly going to win that battle.”
The defensive position can even be counting on the subsequent man up mentality with Cameron Heyward on the Reserve/Injured Checklist and defensive finish Larry Ogunjobi coping with his foot harm, though he did apply on Saturday.
Linebacker Kwon Alexander is aware of shifting ahead for now with out Heyward is not going to be simple, but it surely’s what they should do.
“It’s extremely powerful,” mentioned Alexander. “We’ve got extra dawgs too. Cam is hard. He’s a veteran. Been within the league a very long time. Is aware of how one can play the sport nicely. We’ve got guys that should step up and prepare for the motion.”
A type of gamers able to step up is defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk.
“I put a number of work on this offseason,” mentioned Loudermilk. “I really feel fairly assured in no matter position I’m going to have arising. I feel rather a lot guys on the d-line suppose the identical approach. It is a massive alternative for lots of us. Numerous us put a number of work in within the offseason. For me, it is type of the identical as my rookie season, I obtained thrown within the hearth. Now, being yr three I’m much more assured in that.
“It is simply subsequent man up mentality, so they will depend on us with out there being a number of modifications and be capable to cease the run and get the job accomplished.”
Additionally dominated out this week is working again Anthony McFarland Jr., who has missed apply time this week with a knee harm.
