CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Diontae Johnson vows to get into the endzone. The Steelers wide receiver is on a historic pace for not scoring a touchdown, a record that no one wants to hold. For a wide receiver, especially someone Johnson’s productivity, getting into the endzone is often viewed as an afterthought because it will happen. But for Johnson, who has 745 receiving yards, it has not come just yet.
“I’m trying to get into the endzone for sure,” Johnson said with a cracked smile. “It comes after me helping my team win, and that’s my focus. But I’d like to break that streak.”
If Johnson ended the season today with no touchdowns, he would hold the record for most receptions in a single NFL season by a wide receiver. On Sunday, with his 10 reception performance, Johnson brought his reception total up to 77 on the season. It is not the record for everyone, as James Wilder and Roger Craig still have Johnson beat with 85 and 81 receptions respectively.
Regardless of how it works out, Johnson is not focused on the stats and is more focused on his team. Outside of that, the stats for Johnson are not all that shabby. Against Carolina, Diontae Johnson registered a 10-catch performance while catching all 10 passes thrown his way.
It was about as close to being extremely productive without a touchdown as you could get. Johnson has talked about getting into the endzone all week, though, and that could be getting a burden off his shoulders once he finally gets into the endzone this season.
“I don’t really care about my stats, I want to help my team win first,” Johnson said. “All the stats, that’s come after it. If it helps my team win, it’s all good.”
Johnson will have a three-week stretch the break that streak and stay out of the bad record books in this case. With the Raiders, Ravens, and Browns coming up, he has some talented cornerbacks waiting across from him in Marlon Humphrey and Denzel Ward.