Steelers WR Diontae Johnson Out Multiple Weeks

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson is expected to miss multiple weeks with the right hamstring injury he suffered on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, according to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The exact nature of the injury has not been revealed. The Steelers have four games in four weeks in the next four weeks, including two western road trips, before their Week 6 bye.

Johnson was injured after he made a big catch on the team’s first offensive play of the second half and went down, grabbing his hamstring. He was helped off the field by trainers and went to the blue medical tent on the Pittsburgh sideline for examination. After that, Johnson left the field, heading toward the Pittsburgh locker room. He was not seen in the locker room by reporters after the game.

Second-year wide receiver Calvin Austin III is next on the Steelers’ depth chart, with veteran Allen Robinson II likely sliding from the slot to outside receiver and the smaller Austin settling on the inside.

In addition to Johnson, No. 5 wide receiver Miles Boykin also suffered an injury in the game. He was seen on Monday wearing a walking boot on his right foot.

Gunner Olszewski, who was a healthy scratch as the No. 6 receiver on Sunday, will likely be dressed in Johnson’s absence, and Dez Fitzpatrick and Simi Fehoko will be candidates to be elevated from the practice squad.

In addition to Johnson’s physical place on the field, his absence will also mean a lot more targets to go around for the team’s other primary receivers. His 147 targets were first on the team in 2022, more than half again as many as Pat Freiermuth, who was second with 98.

Johnson also led the team with 86 cathces, 882 yards and 45 catches for a first down, though he notably did not have any touchdowns.

Freiermuth and fellow outside receiver George Pickens will likely be the biggest recipients of the additional targets with Johnson sidelined.