Steelers Place Diontae Johnson on Injured Reserve

The Steelers have placed top receiver Diontae Johnson on injured reserve, meaning he will miss the next four games, the team announced on Monday. Johnson will be eligible to return following the Steelers’ bye week, when they head to Los Angeles to play the Rams on October 22nd.

Johnson was injured on the first offensive series of the second half of the Steelers’ 30-7 Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had already ruled Johnson out of the team’s Week 2 game against the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football. The Steelers were waiting for Johnson to get an MRI to make a complete diagnosis.

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Second-year player Calvin Austin III replaced Johnson on Sunday and will likely be elevated into a starting role, with No. 6 wide receiver Gunner Olszewski also getting a chance to dress. Dez Fitzpatrick and Miles Boykin will be in line for more prominent roles, while George Pickens becomes the team’s top receiver.

The Steelers will play the Cleveland Browns on Monday, then at the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3, the Houston Texans in Week 4, and return home to face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5. Pittsburgh has a bye in Week 6,

Johnson led the Steelers in targets, receptions, receiving yards and catches for a first down in 2022, and his loss will be a significant hurdle for an offense that struggled even with its top receiving weapon in the first game on Sunday. The Steelers will need contributions from around the offense, including the tight ends, to replace what Johnson brings to the table.