Fantasy Player Profile
@CIN: #12 vs opposing WR - 29.53 FPA
| Rushing | Receiving | Fum | Fantasy | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk | Opp | Yds | TD | Yds | TD | Lost | Pts |
| 1 | @CIN, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 2 | NE, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 3 | @CLE, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 4 | NYJ, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 5 | @BUF, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 6 | TB, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 7 | @MIA, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 8 | @PHI, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 9 | Bye | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 10 | NO, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 11 | CIN, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 12 | @IND, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 13 | @ATL, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 14 | BAL, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 15 | @CAR, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 16 | LV, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 17 | @BAL, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
| 18 | CLE, | - | - | - | - | - | 0.00 |
- 1
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9 Bye
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
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- 18
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Finds end zone in losing effort
Johnson had five receptions on 10 targets for 34 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 42-21 loss to the Steelers.
Analysis: The 24-year-old finished first among all Pittsburgh receiving options in targets even with JuJu Smith-Schuster returning for Ben Roethlisberger's swan song. Johnson finished the regular season with team highs in receptions (107) and receiving yardage (1,161) while cashing in eight scores. He's established as the Steelers' No. 1 wideout, but the team's quarterback situation in 2022 will determine how much fantasy value Johnson will carry next season.
Published: Mon, Jan 17 at 1:01am by Rotowire.com
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Ten targets despite early injury
Johnson secured seven of 10 targets for 51 yards in Sunday's 16-13 overtime win over Baltimore.
Analysis: Johnson sustained a rib injury early in Sunday's contest, but he was able to play through the issue and led the Steelers in targets during the win. Although he had a crucial drop on third down late in overtime, the team still picked up the win to likely clinch a postseason berth. The 25-year-old led the Steelers' pass catchers while appearing in 16 of 17 games during the regular season and topped 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career. In total, he secured 107 of 169 targets for…read more
Published: Sun, Jan 9 at 2:04pm by Rotowire.com
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Suits up Sunday
Johnson is active for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Johnson, who was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Week 18 action, is thus set to head the Steelers' wideout corps along with Chase Claypool and Ray-Ray McCloud. Meanwhile, James Washington is unavailable Sunday after landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday.
Published: Sun, Jan 9 at 9:12am by Rotowire.com
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Comes off COVID list
Johnson has been activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Steelers.
Analysis: The Steelers placed Johnson on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, but he's quickly been activated by the team, which sets the stage for the wideout to suit up Sunday against the Ravens. In the process, Johnson should head a Week 18 wide receiver corps that also includes Chase Claypool, Ray-Ray McCloud and James Washington.
Published: Fri, Jan 7 at 12:13pm by Rotowire.com
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Lands on COVID list
The Steelers placed Johnson on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.
Analysis: As a result, unless Johnson is able to clear the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocols, Chase Claypool, Ray-Ray McCloud and James Washington are the Steelers' top available options at wideout ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Ravens.
Published: Thu, Jan 6 at 8:11am by Rotowire.com
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Scores in victory
Johnson caught eight of 15 targets for 31 yards and a touchdown in Monday night's 26-14 win over the Browns.
Analysis: Johnson led the Steelers in catches and looks his way, opening the scoring with a five-yard touchdown in the first quarter as well. Although his high involvement yielded little yardage, with his 3.9 yards per grab marking his lowest average in a game this season, Johnson's score gave him an end-zone trip in consecutive contests. He's also had at least five catches in all but one game this season. Heading into the last week of the campaign, Johnson will strive to finish strong versus a Ravens…read more
Published: Mon, Jan 3 at 9:03pm by Rotowire.com
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Finds end zone late
Johnson caught six passes for 51 yards and one touchdown on nine targets against Kansas City on Sunday.
Analysis: The touchdown occurred late during garbage time in a game during which the Steelers were pummeled 36-10, and Johnson lost a fumble without being touched earlier in the game, but the rougher points in his Sunday performance can be excused given the difficulty of the circumstances. Ben Roethlisberger couldn't get anything going against the Chiefs defense, and Johnson had only moderate success as a result. Johnson's sky-high target rate gives him a good chance to come through again for his fantasy…read more
Published: Sun, Dec 26 at 5:26pm by Rotowire.com
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Held to 48 total yards
Johnson recorded five receptions on five targets for 38 yards in Sunday's 19-13 win over Tennessee. He added one rush for 10 yards.
Analysis: The Steelers offense didn't do much offensively in the victory, so Johnson was still the team's leading receiver despite the underwhelming numbers. He turned in only one reception for more than 10 yards, and his next biggest gain came on an end-around late in the first quarter. Despite the underwhelming performance, Johnson's role in the offense is secure, as he has at least five receptions in nine consecutive games and his yardage total Sunday was his lowest since Week 1.
Published: Sun, Dec 19 at 1:52pm by Rotowire.com
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Another productive showing in loss
Johnson secured five of 10 targets for 76 yards and caught a two-point conversion pass in the Steelers' 36-28 loss to the Vikings on Thursday night.
Analysis: Johnson led the Steelers in targets and checked in behind only Chase Claypool in receiving yardage. Johnson is now just 10 yards away from his first 1,000-yard campaign, and just seven catches shy of tying the career-best 88 he logged last season. With Thursday's reception and yardage totals serving as his floor in those categories over the last five games, he seemingly has a good chance of reaching both marks in a Week 15 battle against the Titans a week from Sunday.
Published: Thu, Dec 9 at 9:54pm by Rotowire.com
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Reaches end zone twice
Johnson secured eight of his 11 targets for 105 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 20-19 win over Baltimore.
Analysis: Johnson continued to garner plenty of volume in Sunday's narrow victory, as he's now had double-digit targets in each of the last four games. Sunday's contest marked the first time this season that the 25-year-old reached the end zone multiple times, and his second touchdown came with 1:48 remaining in the game to help give Pittsburgh a seven-point lead. The 2019 third-rounder has topped 50 receiving yards in 10 of his first 11 appearances of the season, and he's hauled in 76 of 120 targets for…read more
Published: Sun, Dec 5 at 5:02pm by Rotowire.com
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Sees 14 targets in losing effort
Johnson had nine receptions (14 targets) for 95 yards in Sunday's 41-10 loss to the Bengals.
Analysis: Johnson led all Steelers receiving options in targets, receptions and yardage despite the overall disappointing team performance. The 25-year-old has been a steady fantasy contributor while taking over as Pittsburgh's top receiving option this season, seeing a whopping 119 targets through 10 starts. The heavy usage keeps Johnson's fantasy floor high heading into an important Week 13 matchup against the Ravens.
Published: Sun, Nov 28 at 2:45pm by Rotowire.com
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Leads team in all receiving cats
Johnson had seven receptions (13 targets) for 101 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 41-37 loss to the Chargers.
Analysis: Johnson led all Steelers receiving options in production while garnering a whopping 13 targets for the second consecutive game. In fact, Ben Roethlisberger's favorite option has seen double-digit targets in seven of nine games this season. Pittsburgh should keep Johnson heavily involved next Sunday against the Bengals in what could shape up to be another shootout.
Published: Sun, Nov 21 at 9:37pm by Rotowire.com
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Commands 13 targets
Johnson recorded seven receptions on 13 targets for 83 yards in Sunday's 16-16 tie against Detroit.
Analysis: Johnson narrowly beat out Ray-Ray McCloud as Mason Rudolph's favorite target Sunday to lead the team in receiving. He picked up big gains of 39 and 20 yards, though the former ended with a crucial fumble that cost Pittsburgh a chance to kick a game-winning field goal in overtime. Though Johnson has surpassed the century mark only once this season, he's surpassed 70 receiving yards in six of his eight contests. He would benefit from the return of Ben Roethlisberger (illness) heading into a Week…read more
Published: Sun, Nov 14 at 3:07pm by Rotowire.com
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Crucial gain late in win
Johnson caught five of six targets for 56 yards in Monday night's 29-27 win over the Bears. He also rushed twice for 11 yards.
Analysis: Johnson was held in check prior to making a huge 22-yard gain to put the Steelers in field-goal range on their final, game-winning drive. With the help of that catch, Johnson actually led or tied for the team lead in all major receiving categories, but it was rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth who scored twice. Following his late-game impact Monday, Johnson will now turn his attention toward a seemingly advantageous matchup versus the Lions in Week 10.
Published: Mon, Nov 8 at 9:02pm by Rotowire.com
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Leads receiving corps in win
Johnson caught six of 13 targets for 98 yards during Sunday's 15-10 win over the Browns.
Analysis: Johnson had most of his production on a 50-yard catch-and-run during the fourth quarter, which eclipsed the receiving yards of every other Pittsburgh pass catcher. The 25-year-old led the team in targets by a significant margin, but there were plenty of opportunities left on the field with seven missed connections from QB Ben Roethlisberger. It's the fifth time this season Johnson has received double-digit targets, and he now has 40 receptions for 474 yards and three touchdowns through six…read more
Published: Sun, Oct 31 at 2:12pm by Rotowire.com
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Leads team in targets Week 6
Johnson caught nine of 13 targets for 71 yards in Sunday's 23-20 overtime win over Seattle.
Analysis: Johnson also added 25 yards on a beautifully drawn up end-around that almost got the receiver into the end zone. Last week's stat line (two receptions for 72 yards and a TD) was a bit of an anomaly volume-wise given the low total pass attempts, but Sunday's double-digit targets was a better representation of what kind of usage we could see from Johnson going forward now that JuJu Smith-Schuster (shoulder) is on IR. The Steelers are entering their bye week, with a matchup against the Browns set…read more
Published: Sun, Oct 17 at 10:45pm by Rotowire.com
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Productive despite limited targets
Johnson secured both of his targets for 72 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-19 win over the Broncos.
Analysis: Johnson had been targeted at least 10 times in each of his first three appearances of 2021, but he saw fewer looks in Week 5 as the Steelers had a season-low 25 pass attempts. However, the 25-year-old hauled in a 50-yard touchdown early in the first quarter, which was his longest catch of the year. Johnson has brought in 25 of 37 targets for 305 yards and three touchdowns across his first four appearances this season.
Published: Sun, Oct 10 at 2:01pm by Rotowire.com
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Catches TD in return
Johnson hauled in nine of 13 targets for 92 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Packers.
Analysis: Johnson missed last week's game with a knee injury but logged full practices Thursday and Friday and saw plenty of work against Green Bay with Chase Claypool (hamstring) sidelined. The 2019 third-rounder led the team in targets and receiving yards and recorded the only touchdown catch of the game. Johnson has had double-digit targets in each of his first three appearances of the year and will attempt to remain involved at home against the Broncos in Week 5.
Published: Sun, Oct 3 at 5:18pm by Rotowire.com
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Ready to return Sunday
Johnson (knee) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest at Green Bay, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Analysis: After sitting out Week 3 due to a knee injury, Johnson managed full practices both Thursday and Friday, clearing him to return to action. Elsewhere in the receiving corps, JuJu Smith-Schuster built up from no activity Wednesday to all of it Friday and is good to suit up this weekend, while Chase Claypool (hamstring) now is the Steelers wide receiver with his availability in question. If the team opts to keep Claypool on the sideline Sunday, Johnson figures to be heavily involved in the passing…read more
Published: Fri, Oct 1 at 11:59am by Rotowire.com
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Logs full practice
Johnson (knee) returned to a full practice Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Johnson's full participation Thursday sets the stage for him to return to action Sunday against the Packers after sitting out the team's Week 3 contest. Meanwhile, Chase Claypool was added to the Steelers' Week 4 injury report after being limited by a hamstring issue Thursday, while JuJu Smith-Schuster (ribs) logged a limited session following a DNP on Wednesday. Look for Friday's final injury report to provide added clarity with regard to the health and availability of the trio heading into…read more
Published: Thu, Sep 30 at 1:48pm by Rotowire.com
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Returns to limited practice
Johnson (knee) returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: While Johnson returned after missing every practice each week, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral) and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (rib) both missed Wednesday's session. Roethlisberger likely will continue playing through his injury -- though perhaps not at a high level -- but Smith-Schuster's availability for Week 4 is a real question. Either way, the biggest issue for Johnson is his own knee injury, as he gets plenty of targets whenever he's healthy, even if the Steelers have…read more
Published: Wed, Sep 29 at 1:19pm by Rotowire.com
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Scheduled to practice this week
Johnson (knee) is on track to practice this week, Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Coach Mike Tomlin didn't go into detail regarding to what extent Johnson might practice this week, or if he'll be on the field for the Steelers' first official Week 4 session Wednesday, but the fact that the wideout is expected to take reps in some capacity suggests that he's being viewed as day-to-day rather than week-to-week. How Johnson's injured knee looks in practice will likely determine whether he returns from a one-game absence to suit up Sunday in Green Bay. Ben Roethlisberger…read more
Published: Tue, Sep 28 at 11:23am by Rotowire.com
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Won't play Sunday
Johnson (knee) won't play Sunday against the Bengals.
Analysis: Johnson was unable to practice all week, so it remains to be seen if he'll have a chance to return to action Week 4 versus Green Bay. In his confirmed absence this weekend, James Washington figures to step up as the Steelers' No. 3 receiver (behind JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chase Claypool), with the team potentially also rolling out more multi-tight end looks Sunday.
Published: Fri, Sep 24 at 12:13pm by Rotowire.com
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Idle for another practice
Johnson (knee) was a non-participant in Thursday's practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: With two missed practices to begin Week 3 prep, Johnson is seemingly trending in the wrong direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals. The Steelers haven't officially ruled Johnson out for the contest, but he'll most likely be headed for an inactive status if he fails to log any practice activity Friday. Should Johnson sit out Sunday, James Washington would likely be the top candidate to see added snaps alongside starting receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chase Claypool.
Published: Thu, Sep 23 at 2:07pm by Rotowire.com
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Not practicing
Johnson (knee) didn't practice Wednesday.
Analysis: After Johnson was injured on the final play of last week's loss to the Raiders, head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that the wideout is "looking better, not to be confused with great," per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com. Johnson's status thus appears shaky for Sunday's game against the Bengals, with Thursday and Friday representing his remaining two chances to return to the practice field. James Washington should step up as the No. 3 receiver if Johnson is ruled out this week, with the Steelers…read more
Published: Wed, Sep 22 at 1:17pm by Rotowire.com
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Showing improvement
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Johnson's knee injury is "looking better, not to be confused with great," Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Though Johnson appears to have averted a major injury in Sunday's loss to the Raiders, his availability for this weekend's game against the Bengals remains very much up in the air. Before assessing Johnson's status for Week 3, the Steelers will see what kind of activity the top target for Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral) is able to do in practices Wednesday through Friday. If Johnson is forced out of action against Cincinnati, James Washington would likely be the top candidate to claim the…read more
Published: Tue, Sep 21 at 9:28am by Rotowire.com
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Sidesteps serious injury
Johnson (knee) did not sustain a serious injury during Sunday's 26-17 loss to the Raiders, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Johnson picked up a knee injury during the final play of Sunday's loss to the Raiders, but it's at least not a long-term issue. The third-year wideout hasn't yet been ruled out for Week 3's divisional matchup against Cincinnati, which is an encouraging sign. Johnson has drawn double-digit targets in both of Pittsburgh's first two games of the 2021 season, including nine catches for 105 yards on 12 looks versus Las Vegas.
Published: Mon, Sep 20 at 9:44am by Rotowire.com
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Hurts knee late Sunday
Coach Mike Tomlin said Johnson "hurt his knee" on the final play of Sunday's 26-17 loss to the Raiders and "is being evaluated," Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Johnson made his ninth and final catch for 11 yards when he sustained the injury. According to Field Yates of ESPN, Johnson needed assistance from two teammates to get off the field, so his status should be watched closely in the coming days as the Steelers get more clarity on the nature of the issue. If Johnson is sidelined for any length of time, James Washington figures to move up the depth chart and join Chase Claypool and JuJu Smith-Schuster as Pittsburgh's top three wide receivers.
Published: Sun, Sep 19 at 4:05pm by Rotowire.com
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Injured late in Sunday's game
Johnson was helped off the field after suffering an unspecified injury late in Sunday's 26-17 loss to the Raiders, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Johnson logged a 9-105-0 stat line on 12 targets in the contest, but now the focus turns to his status for next Sunday's game against the Bengals. If he's out or limited next weekend, James Washington presumably would see added WR snaps behind Chase Claypool and JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Published: Sun, Sep 19 at 1:24pm by Rotowire.com
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Makes acrobatic TD catch in win
Johnson brought in five of 10 targets for 36 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers' 23-16 win over the Bills on Sunday.
Analysis: None of the Steelers' receivers posted what could be rightfully termed fantasy-friendly efforts against a stingy Bills secondary, but Johnson arguably came the closest thanks to his highlight-reel juggling touchdown catch early in the fourth quarter to give the Steelers a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Despite leaving the game briefly in the first half due to what appeared to be a lower-body injury, Johnson unsurprisingly paced the team in receptions and targets as well -- a distinction he also…read more
Published: Sun, Sep 12 at 1:34pm by Rotowire.com
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Surpasses 40 yards again
Johnson secured his lone target for 43 yards while recording one carry for no yards in Saturday's 26-20 preseason win over the Lions.
Analysis: Johnson played 52 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps Saturday, and he made the most of his lone target in the win. During the team's second possession, Ben Roethlisberger connected with Johnson on a 43-yard reception down the middle of the field on third down. The 2019 third-rounder has brought in all six of his targets during the preseason, and he's totaled 103 yards across the first three exhibition games.
Published: Sun, Aug 22 at 11:11am by Rotowire.com
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Racks up 41 yards Thursday
Johnson brought in all three of his targets for 41 yards in Thursday's 24-16 preseason win over the Eagles.
Analysis: Johnson was on the field for only 20 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps Thursday, but he had a solid performance, highlighted by a 33-yard reception on the team's second drive of the game. The 2019 third-rounder has secured all five of his targets across the first two preseason games after he had 15 drops in 2020.
Published: Fri, Aug 13 at 10:48am by Rotowire.com
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Pair of grabs in preseason opener
Johnson secured both his targets for 19 yards during the Steelers' 16-3 preseason win over the Cowboys in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game.
Analysis: After a 2020 season in which he was charged with 15 drops, Johnson encouraging got his first official on-field action of the 2021 campaign on the right foot by securing both passes thrown his way. Johnson logged a whopping 144 targets a year ago in 15 games, and despite the somewhat surprising return of JuJu Smith-Schuster on a one-year deal this offseason, the third-year pro should still serve as Pittsburgh's most explosive and prolific fantasy asset at wideout.
Published: Thu, Aug 5 at 8:24pm by Rotowire.com
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Caps off impressive regular season
Johnson brought in three of his four targets for 96 yards in Sunday's 24-22 loss to the Browns.
Analysis: Johnson missed a day of practice during the week due to an illness, but he was fully healthy for the team's Week 17 matchup against Cleveland. The second-year wideout finished his season with impressive output, accruing his most receiving yards since Week 11. Johnson had some issues with drops along the way, but he still led the team with 144 targets during the regular season. He tallied 88 receptions for 923 yards and seven touchdowns to go with three rushes for 15 yards. He demonstrated his…read more
Published: Mon, Jan 4 at 11:37am by Rotowire.com
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Misses practice, but cleared for finale
Johnson was listed as a non-participant in Friday's practice due to an illness, but he doesn't carry a designation into Sunday's game against the Browns.
Analysis: Any absence at practice related to an illness has naturally warranted concern this season, but the Steelers haven't provided any indication his ailment is related to COVID-19. As such, Johnson should be in the clear for the regular-season finale, though how much he actually plays has yet to be determined. The Steelers are already resting starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the contest, and several other top contributors are expected to be rested during the game, if not healthy…read more
Published: Fri, Jan 1 at 2:49pm by Rotowire.com
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Scores seventh touchdown
Johnson caught eight of 14 targets for 75 yards and a touchdown while adding a two-yard rush during Sunday's 28-24 win over the Colts.
Analysis: Johnson led the team in targets while finishing second in catches and receiving yards. The highlight of this performance came on a diving 39-yard touchdown reception that ignited his team's comeback in the third quarter. Johnson has responded encouragingly after his most recent drop issues, hauling in 16 balls for 134 yards and a pair of touchdowns over the last two games. He is also up to seven touchdowns after notching three in his last four games and will look to add to his numbers in next…read more
Published: Sun, Dec 27 at 2:21pm by Rotowire.com
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Leading receiver in latest loss
Johnson caught eight of 13 targets for 59 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 27-17 loss to the Bengals.
Analysis: Johnson scored Pittsburgh's first points with a 23-yard touchdown early in the third quarter and also drew a fourth-down pass interference call to set up Benny Snell's one-yard touchdown run in the fourth. The 24-year-old receiver put his recent struggles with drops in the rear-view mirror and led Pittsburgh in targets, catches and receiving yards. Johnson has been targeted at least 10 times in nine of 13 games played this season, including six of the past seven. He'll hope to lead the…read more
Published: Mon, Dec 21 at 8:38pm by Rotowire.com
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Moving past drop issues
Coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday that he intends to give Johnson a clean slate after the wideout dropped three passes in Sunday's loss to the Bills, Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
Analysis: Tomlin said Johnson "responded appropriately" to being benched in the first half, suggesting that the receiver won't see a role reduction Week 15 in Cincinnati. However, if Johnson fails to show improvement with regard to the drops, he could end up losing snaps to Chase Claypool, who has made a strong impression as a rookie.
Published: Wed, Dec 16 at 3:55pm by Rotowire.com
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Struggles with drops again
Johnson hauled in four of his seven targets for 40 yards in Sunday's 26-15 loss to the Bills.
Analysis: Johnson was targeted four times over the first two drives of Sunday's contest, but he dropped three of those passes. As a result, the 2019 third-rounder appeared to be benched for most of the first half, and he now has a league-worst 13 drops this season. Johnson still was effective with the ball in his hands Sunday, but it's safe to wonder whether he'll have a decreased role going forward if he fails to haul in targets.
Published: Mon, Dec 14 at 1:31pm by Rotowire.com
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Scores in first defeat
Johnson caught eight of 12 targets for 71 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 23-17 loss to Washington.
Analysis: Johnson's performance was highlighted by his three-yard touchdown to open the game's scoring in the second quarter. Although he struggled with drops for the second game in a row, Johnson still led Pittsburgh in receptions and targets. The shifty wideout has now commanded double-digit looks in five straight games, catching at least six passes in all of those outings and topping 70 yards four times as well. With such high involvement in a dangerous offense, Johnson should remain a quality option…read more
Published: Mon, Dec 7 at 5:38pm by Rotowire.com
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Fails to capitalize on 13 targets
Johnson recorded eight receptions on 13 targets for 46 yards in Wednesday's 19-14 win over the Ravens.
Analysis: Johnson's target total led the way for the Steelers in a game in which quarterback Ben Roethlisberger aired it out 51 times. The outing wasn't Johnson's most efficient, however, as he managed only 3.5 yards per target, and his longest reception went for only 11 yards. He'll look for a bounce-back performance Week 13 against Washington.
Published: Wed, Dec 2 at 4:52pm by Rotowire.com
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Another lucrative receiving day
Johnson reeled in 12 of 16 targets for 111 receiving yards during Sunday's 27-3 win against Jacksonville.
Analysis: No. 1 receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (toe) suffered an injury during the contest, but according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, it seems the team was exercising a cautious approach in restraining his workload with a multi-possession second-half lead in hand. Johnson took full advantage of increased opportunity, doubling Chase Claypool for the team lead in targets and translating that into his second consecutive outing of 110-plus receiving yards. A Week 12 matchup against the Ravens appears far more…read more
Published: Sun, Nov 22 at 3:02pm by Rotowire.com
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Logs 116 yards in big performance
Johnson recorded six receptions on 11 targets for 116 yards and one touchdown in Week 10 against the Bengals.
Analysis: Johnson was one of three Steelers receivers to see double-digit targets, though he far outgained both JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chase Claypool. Johnson provided several explosive receptions, including gains of 46, 18 and 17 yards. In addition, Johnson snagged his fourth touchdown of the season on a 12-yard slant route late in the first quarter. Johnson has seen at least 10 targets in five of his nine contests this season and will draw a favorable matchup against the Jaguars in Week 11.
Published: Sun, Nov 15 at 7:23pm by Rotowire.com
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Racks up 77 yards in win
Johnson hauled in six of his 10 targets for 77 yards while also recording one carry for four yards in Sunday's 24-19 win over the Cowboys.
Analysis: Johnson wasn't very involved in the Steelers' Week 8 matchup against Baltimore, but he was on the field for 81 percent of the offensive snaps against the Cowboys. His performance was highlighted by a 42-yard reception that led to the go-ahead touchdown as Pittsburgh remained undefeated. The 2019 third-rounder will face a slightly tougher test against the Bengals in Week 10, but he's proven to be a significant producer in the Steelers offense when he's fully healthy.
Published: Mon, Nov 9 at 2:09pm by Rotowire.com
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Just one catch against Ravens
Johnson hauled in one of his three targets for six receiving yards during Sunday's 28-24 win against Baltimore.
Analysis: Johnson was forced to sit out Week 6 because of a back injury, but he re-emerged last Sunday against the Titans with a nine-catch, 80-yard, two-touchdown performance. The 2019 third-round pick enjoyed an exciting start to the season with 14 receptions, 149 yards and a touchdown Weeks 1 and 2, but he's since dealt with injury and has been held under 10 receiving yards over three of his past four appearances. An upcoming matchup against the Cowboys' 32nd-ranked scoring defense provides Johnson…read more
Published: Sun, Nov 1 at 5:39pm by Rotowire.com
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Logs full practice
Johnson (toe) returned to a full practice Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Johnson, who sat out Wednesday's session, returned to the lineup last weekend after a Week 6 absence due to a back injury and proceeded to rack up nine catches on 15 targets for 80 yards and two TDs in the Steelers' 27-24 win over the Titans. With a full practice under his belt Thursday after managing his toe issue, Johnson is poised to handle his usual starting role against the 5-1 Ravens on Sunday.
Published: Thu, Oct 29 at 12:54pm by Rotowire.com
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Aiming to practice Thursday
Johnson (ankle) told Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he intends to take the practice field Thursday.
Analysis: Johnson is coming off one of his best fantasy performances of the season with two touchdowns Week 7 against Tennessee, but the injury bug bit again and he was forced to leave the contest early. The second-year wideout proceeded to begin the week with a missed practice session, but it seems he intends to be back out there Thursday, which would only increase his chances of getting to suit up for a key divisional matchup Week 8 in Baltimore.
Published: Thu, Oct 29 at 6:17am by Rotowire.com
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Misses practice Wednesday
Johnson didn't practice Wednesday due to a toe injury, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: The Steelers' injury report doesn't reference an ankle bruise the wideout reportedly suffered in the Week 7 win over the Titans, but it bears noting that Johnson previously managed a toe issue earlier in the season. His status will be revisited again Thursday, when Johnson should upgrade to limited or full practice participation as the Steelers prepare for Sunday's game against the Ravens.
Published: Wed, Oct 28 at 1:55pm by Rotowire.com
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Two touchdowns prior to injury
Johnson (ankle) recorded nine receptions on 15 targets for 80 yards and two touchdowns in Week 7 against the Titans.
Analysis: Johnson returned after a Week 6 absence with a back injury and showed no rust early on. He tallied two of the first three Steelers' touchdowns on 11 and nine-yard receptions respectively. He was also Ben Roethlisberger's favorite wideout, as Johnson picked up a career-best 15 targets. Despite the excellent performance, Johnson was forced to exit the game in the midst of the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reported that the injury would not jeopardize Johnson's…read more
Published: Sun, Oct 25 at 2:45pm by Rotowire.com
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Logs full practice
Johnson (back) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Johnson's back injury caused him to miss Sunday's win over the Browns, but he now appears fully on track to return for the Steelers' Week 7 contest against the undefeated Titans. Assuming Johnson is good to go this weekend, he stands to handle his usual role in three-receiver sets alongside JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) and Chase Claypool, while James Washington would seemingly become the odd man out.
Published: Wed, Oct 21 at 12:48pm by Rotowire.com
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On pace to practice Wednesday
Johnson (back) is expected to practice Wednesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Johnson has been bit by the injury bug this season, but due to an unexpected Week 4 bye, he only missed this past Sunday's win against the Browns. His current concern is a back issue, which he picked up Week 5 and only allowed for one limited practice session last week. He'll look to elevate to full in advance of this Sunday's matchup at Tennessee.
Published: Tue, Oct 20 at 9:29am by Rotowire.com
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Not playing Sunday
Johnson (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Browns, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Johnson took a hit to his back during Pittsburgh's Week 5 win against the Eagles, finishing his day with one catch for minus-two yards. During the week, he followed a DNP/LP/DNP practice regimen before the Steelers' ultimately made the call on his availability Sunday. With Johnson out of the lineup, the offense will lean on JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Chase Claypool and Ray-Ray McCloud at wide receiver.
Published: Fri, Oct 16 at 11:41am by Rotowire.com
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Returns to practice
Johnson (back) returned to a limited practice Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Johnson sat out Wednesday's session, with his limited participation Thursday a good sign with regard to his Week 6 availability. Look for Friday's final injury report to clarify whether Johnson approaches Sunday's game against the Browns listed as questionable or free from an injury designation.
Published: Thu, Oct 15 at 12:47pm by Rotowire.com
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Sits out practice Wednesday
Johnson (back) didn't practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Per coach Mike Tomlin, Johnson took a direct blow to his back during Sunday's 38-29 win against the Eagles. That said, the Steelers have optimism that the wideout -- who's been getting routine days off at practice this season -- will be fit to play this weekend against the Browns. A return to the practice field in any capacity Thursday would support that notion.
Published: Wed, Oct 14 at 2:24pm by Rotowire.com
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Optimism about health
Coach Mike Tomlin told Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com that Johnson took a hit to the back during Sunday's 38-29 win against the Eagles, but he believes the wide receiver will be able to play Week 6 versus the Browns.
Analysis: Johnson left Sunday's game in the first half and didn't return, finishing with one catch for minus-two yards. His second season as a pro has been injury-riddled, as he's tended to foot and toe issues as well as a concussion. He benefitted from the Steelers' unexpected bye Week 4 when their opponent, the Titans, were hammered by positive COVID-19 tests, but with no scheduled respite the rest of the way, Johnson's status will need to be watched in advance of a Week 6 AFC North bout with the…read more
Published: Sun, Oct 11 at 3:28pm by Rotowire.com
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Exits Sunday's game
Johnson was forced out of Sunday's game against the Eagles with a back issue, Burt Lauten of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: Prior to his exit, Johnson's lone reception resulted in a two-yard loss. In the meantime, Chase Claypool, James Washington and Ray-Ray McCloud are next up for targets alongside Pittsburgh's top wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Published: Sun, Oct 11 at 10:53am by Rotowire.com
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Practices fully Thursday
Johnson (toe) practiced fully Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: The same applies to fellow starting wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee), who missed practice Wednesday along with Johnson. At this point, managing the duo's practice reps could become routine for the Steelers, but Johnson will be out there Sunday against the Eagles. The 2019 third-rounder heads into the contest with a 14/149/1 stat line through three games.
Published: Thu, Oct 8 at 2:52pm by Rotowire.com
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Sits Wednesday with toe injury
Johnson didn't practice Wednesday due to a toe injury, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Johnson has progressed out of the NFL's concussion protocol, but he continues to manage a toe issue that Pryor suggests is minor and one that hasn't kept the wideout out of any games. The wideout's status will be updated again Thursday, but it wouldn't be surprising if he advances to full activity. The team's scheduled Week 4 contest versus the Titans was postponed, so Johnson wasn't forced to miss any time due to the head injury.
Published: Wed, Oct 7 at 1:04pm by Rotowire.com
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Escapes concussion protocol
Coach Mike Tomlin announced Johnson is out of the concussion protocol, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The 2019 third-round pick opened the season with back-to-back fruitful outings, combining for 14 catches (on 23 targets) for 149 yards and one touchdown. He then suffered a concussion Week 3 against the Texans and was blanked in the box score, before having an unexpected bye week due to COVID-19 complications with the Steelers' original Week 4 opponent, the Titans. Tomlin told Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Johnson will be a full practice participant Wednesday, which will…read more
Published: Tue, Oct 6 at 9:18am by Rotowire.com
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Progressing well from concussion
Johnson (concussion) donned a helmet for Thursday's practice and took part in individual drills with the Steelers' other healthy receivers, Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
Analysis: Even though the NFL announced earlier Thursday that Pittsburgh's Week 4 matchup with the Titans would be postponed to a later date due to a COVID-19 outbreak among Tennessee players and staff, the Steelers are still holding practices during what's essentially an unexpected bye week. The postponement will provide Johnson with more time to recover from the concussion he sustained in the Steelers' Week 3 win over the Texans, but the wideout already looks close to clearing the NFL's protocol for…read more
Published: Thu, Oct 1 at 11:25am by Rotowire.com
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Remains in concussion protocol
Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Johnson is still in the league's concussion protocol, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Analysis: Johnson suffered a concussion during Week 3's win over the Texans after playing just 19 snaps and failing to haul in either of his two targets. Tomlin said Johnson won't be able to clear the league's protocol until Friday at the earliest, so it's possible the second-year receiver will be able to play in Sunday's game versus the Titans. However, his practice capacity this week will be closely monitored. Chase Claypool and James Washington should both see an uptick in usage behind JuJu…read more
Published: Tue, Sep 29 at 3:26pm by Rotowire.com
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Won't return Sunday
Johnson (concussion) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game versus the Texans, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: It appears Johnson has been diagnosed with a concussion. For the remainder of the game, James Washington and Chase Claypool should see an uptick in targets behind JuJu Smith-Schuster. Johnson will look to clear the league's concussion protocol before Week 4's matchup versus the Titans.
Published: Sun, Sep 27 at 11:51am by Rotowire.com
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Possible concussion
Johnson is being evaluated for a concussion during Sunday's game against the Texans, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Analysis: While Johnson is unavailable, added wideout targets behind JuJu Smith-Schuster will be available for James Washington and Chase Claypool.
Published: Sun, Sep 27 at 11:13am by Rotowire.com
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Resumes practicing fully
Johnson (toe) practiced fully Thursday.
Analysis: As was the case last week, Johnson sat out practice Wednesday before returning to a full session Thursday. He was on the field for 83 percent of Pittsburgh's snaps on offense in Week 2's win over the Broncos, en route to recording eight catches on 13 targets for 92 yards and a TD. He'll remain busy this Sunday against the Texans, especially if fellow wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) is limited at all.
Published: Thu, Sep 24 at 1:15pm by Rotowire.com
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Sits out practice Wednesday
Johnson (toe) didn't practice Wednesday.
Analysis: Fellow starting wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) also sat out practice. Both players ended up missing practice last Wednesday with the same injuries, but returned to full sessions Thursday and entered the Steelers' eventual Week 2 win over the Broncos minus designations. That pattern won't necessarily be repeated Week 3, but at this point, it would be surprising if Johnson's toe issue keeps him out of Sunday's game against the Texans.
Published: Wed, Sep 23 at 1:46pm by Rotowire.com
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Still dealing with toe issue
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Johnson continues to deal with a lingering toe injury, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Johnson has showed up on the Steelers' injury reports the past two weeks with toe or foot issues, but he hasn't been slowed down on game days. He's been Pittsburgh's top receiver during the team's 2-0 start to the season, logging double-digit targets in both contests and compiling 14 receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown. The Steelers could look to limit Johnson's workload in practice again this week, but barring a setback, he'll likely enter Sunday's matchup with the Texans minus an injury…read more
Published: Tue, Sep 22 at 9:25am by Rotowire.com
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Finds end zone as leading receiver
Johnson caught eight of 13 targets for 92 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 26-21 win over the Broncos.
Analysis: Johnson led the team in targets, catches and receiving yards while scoring his first touchdown of the season on a 28-yard strike in the fourth quarter. The second-year wideout has taken a big leap forward to start the new season and has drawn a whopping 23 targets from Ben Roethlisberger over two games. That type of attention from a capable passer carries plenty of fantasy value, and Johnson will look to build on this outstanding performance in a favorable matchup next Sunday against the Texans.
Published: Sun, Sep 20 at 4:06pm by Rotowire.com
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Back to full practice
After sitting out practice Wednesday, Johnson (toe) practiced fully Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The same applies to JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee), which puts the wideouts -- who both logged 55 of a possible 64 snaps on offense in Monday's win over the Giants -- on track to start and handle their usual roles Sunday against the Broncos. In Week 1, that resulted in Johnson catching six of his 10 targets for 57 yards.
Published: Thu, Sep 17 at 1:01pm by Rotowire.com
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Doesn't practice Wednesday
Johnson (toe) didn't practice Wednesday.
Analysis: Nor did JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee), but both players logged 55 of a possible 64 snaps on offense in Monday's win over the Giants, so it's possible that the Steelers are simply managing the reps of a couple of key players dealing with opening-game aches and pains. Added clarity on that front will arrive no later than Thursday, when the team resumes preparations for Sunday's tilt against the Broncos. Johnson was targeted a team-high 10 times Week 1, yielding six catches for 57 yards.
Published: Wed, Sep 16 at 2:09pm by Rotowire.com
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Busy in opener
Johnson caught six of 10 targets for 57 yards in Monday night's 26-16 win over the Giants. He also muffed a punt, resulting in a lost fumble in the first quarter.
Analysis: Johnson's night got off to a poor start, as he gifted the Giants the ball on his own three-yard line after coughing up a punt on the game's first drive. He later also had a miscommunication with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, but Johnson's play elevated as the game wore on, and his ability to create separation with his quickness resulted in a team-high target tally while he tied JuJu Smith-Schuster for the lead in receptions. Although his fellow wideout scored twice on his six grabs, Johnson…read more
Published: Mon, Sep 14 at 8:33pm by Rotowire.com
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Returns to full practice
Johnson (foot) practiced fully Friday.
Analysis: A foot issue sidelined Johnson at Thursday's practice, but a full session Friday puts the 2019 third-rounder in line to suit up and start opposite JuJu Smith-Schuster on Monday night against the Giants. Johnson logged 59 catches (for 680 yards and five TDs) as a rookie, and in his second year as a pro, the 5-foot-10, 183-pounder figures to benefit from more consistent play at quarterback now that Ben Roethlisberger (who missed most of last season) is healthy.
Published: Fri, Sep 11 at 12:40pm by Rotowire.com
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Returns to practice
Johnson (foot) returned to practice Friday, according to fellow wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Johnson didn't practice Thursday, so his presence on the field Friday puts him on course to suit up Monday night against the Giants. Our confidence in that outcome will elevate if the wideout is officially listed as a full practice participant by the Steelers. Johnson is listed as a starter on the team's posted depth chart, opposite Smith-Schuster.
Published: Fri, Sep 11 at 9:44am by Rotowire.com
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Misses practice Thursday
Johnson (foot) didn't practice Thursday.
Analysis: Per Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, this is a new issue for Johnson, who is one of just two players listed on the Steelers' initial Week 1 injury report. Johnson will have two more chances to return to practice in advance of Monday night's game against the Giants. James Washington would be in line for added work behind top wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster in Pittsburgh's opener if Johnson ends up limited or out.
Published: Thu, Sep 10 at 12:55pm by Rotowire.com
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Likely returning punts again
Coach Mike Tomlin said he is "extremely comfortable" using Johnson on punt returns, Brian Batko of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Tomlin also acknowledged the expectation of Johnson handling a large workload on offense, something that was on display at Wednesday's practice when the young wideout had a 30-yard catch and a TD reception. Johnson appeared comfortable in both tasks as a rookie, catching 64.1 percent of his targets for 7.4 YPT while leading the league in punt return average (12.4 yards on 20 attempts). The 24-year-old missed a few practice session last week with an undisclosed injury, but he's back in good…read more
Published: Fri, Sep 4 at 5:34am by Rotowire.com
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Absent again
Johnson (undisclosed) missed another practice Monday, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Analysis: Johnson has been held out of practice since Wednesday without any update on the nature of his injury. He had sports hernia surgery at some point in January or February, but reports suggested he'd made a full recovery by the end of June. It isn't clear if the current issue is related.
Published: Mon, Aug 24 at 11:50am by Rotowire.com
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No practice Saturday
Johnson (undisclosed) missed a second straight practice Saturday, Brooke Pryor of NFL Nation reports.
Analysis: The reason for Johnson's absence remains unknown, but the second-year wideout will be missing out on valuable reps if he's unable to make his return to practice soon. Johnson had sports hernia surgery over the winter, but that injury didn't force him to miss any action as a rookie, so that's unlikely to be the culprit for his current absence.
Published: Sat, Aug 22 at 3:12pm by Rotowire.com
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Day-to-day
Coach Mike Tomlin indicated that Johnson was among the Steelers who missed Friday's practice "with minor (undisclosed) ailments that could be described as day-to-day," Bob Labriola of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: While Johnson is sidelined temporarily with an unspecified issue, the team welcomed fellow wideout James Washington back to practice Friday. The duo, along with 2020 second-rounder Chase Claypool, are competing for for targets behind behind Pittsburgh's No. 1 wideout, JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Published: Fri, Aug 21 at 3:02pm by Rotowire.com
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Resumes training work
Johnson (sports hernia) has resumed working out, Jeff Hartman of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Analysis: Johnson had surgery over the winter to address a sports hernia that nagged him throughout his rookie season. The injury didn't result in any missed games and wasn't enough to prevent him from leading the Steelers in catches (59) and receiving touchdowns (five). Johnson proved especially dangerous with the ball in his hands, averaging an NFL-best 12.4 yards per punt return and tying for second among wideouts with nine broken tackles on receptions. There's no shortage of target competition in the…read more
Published: Wed, Jun 24 at 9:04am by Rotowire.com
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Hoping for clearance in coming days
Johnson (sports hernia) said Wednesday that he's hopeful to receive clearance to resume training within the next few days, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Johnson indicated that he first picked up the groin injury Week 2 of the 2019 season and played through the issue before undergoing a procedure over the winter. The second-year receiver has spent time working out with Ben Roethlisberger this offseason in an attempt to develop a rapport with the veteran quarterback, but he's still apparently facing some limitations in his recovery from surgery. Johnson will face competition from James Washington and rookie Chase Claypool for regular reps at…read more
Published: Wed, May 27 at 11:47am by Rotowire.com
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Undergoes sports hernia procedure
Johnson is recovering from sports hernia surgery, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Johnson appears to have undergone the procedure to address an issue he played with during the 2019 regular season, though he wasn't forced to miss any time. A typical recovery for such injuries can take up to six weeks, which would put Johnson on track for training camp, though particularly severe instances can sometimes cause players to miss extended time. The Toledo product led Pittsburgh in catches (59) and receiving touchdowns (five) as a rookie, and he stands to benefit from more…read more
Published: Thu, Feb 13 at 3:00pm by Rotowire.com
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Four receptions in finale
Johnson caught four of seven targets for 54 yards in Sunday's 28-10 loss to the Ravens.
Analysis: Although the rookie receiver failed to hit the century mark in a game, Johnson finished the 2019 season with a solid 59-680-5 line while playing in all 16 contests. With several players missing time due to injury Johnson led the team in catches and receiving touchdowns as well as targets (92). He also ran for 41 yards on four carries and led the league by averaging 12.4 yards per punt return, including an 85-yard touchdown. Johnson has upside heading into the 2020 season, especially if…read more
Published: Mon, Dec 30 at 7:41am by Rotowire.com
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Lone bright spot on offense
Johnson caught eight of nine targets for 81 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Jets.
Analysis: Johnson's 29-yard touchdown with four seconds left before halftime tied the score at 10-10. The touchdown was thrown by Mason Rudolph, who came in after Devlin Hodges was benched following two interceptions. Rudolph later injured his shoulder, forcing Hodges back in under center. Johnson led the Steelers in targets, catches and yards in this one, operating as the team's top receiver over a clearly banged-up JuJu Smith-Schuster. The rookie third-round pick out of Toledo will have some Week 17…read more
Published: Sun, Dec 22 at 2:13pm by Rotowire.com
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Solid in defeat
Johnson caught five of seven targets for 62 yards in Sunday's 17-10 loss to the Bills.
Analysis: Johnson had a solid performance given the matchup, but the red-zone struggles of the offense cost him a repeat touchdown performance. He was targeted in the end zone on a throw, but the pass was intercepted to snuff the scoring chance. The 23-year-old maintains deep-league value while Juju Smith-Schuster (knee) remains sidelined, which could happen again when the Steelers take on the Jets on Sunday.
Published: Sun, Dec 15 at 10:29pm by Rotowire.com
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Scores twice in win over Cardinals
Johnson caught six of eight targets for 60 yards and a touchdown in Pittsburgh's 23-17 win over Arizona on Sunday. He also ran once for 16 yards and scored on an 85-yard punt return.
Analysis: Entering this contest, Johnson had averaged 7.1 yards per punt return with a long of 14 yards, but he took an Andy Lee punt to the house to give Pittsburgh an early 10-0 lead. Johnson had not scored in his last five games before doing so twice against Arizona, including the first kick return for a touchdown of his career. With fantasy playoffs underway, Johnson is a boom-or-bust play. Fantasy owners should temper expectations in Week 15 against a Buffalo pass defense that has held opposing wide…read more
Published: Sun, Dec 8 at 6:23pm by Rotowire.com
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Returns to full practice
Johnson (illness) practiced fully Thursday, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: With JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) looking likely to miss Sunday's game against the Cardinals, James Washington and Johnson -- who was limited at practice Wednesday -- appear on track to head the Steelers' Week 14 wideout corps.
Published: Thu, Dec 5 at 1:52pm by Rotowire.com
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Under the weather
Johnson was limited at practice Wednesday due to an illness.
Analysis: The illness isn't likely to impact Johnson's Week 14 status, and that's a good thing, as fellow receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is still nursing a knee injury that clouds his availability for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Published: Wed, Dec 4 at 1:46pm by Rotowire.com
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Bottled up in win
Johnson caught only one of his five targets for a 14-yard gain and added a 17-yard run during Sunday's 20-13 win over Cleveland.
Analysis: The rookie receiver might be in the doghouse after Sunday's game, as he stopped running and helped surrender what might have been a costly interception late in Sunday's contest. Johnson has been targeted plenty in recent weeks, but he's topped 30 yards receiving just once in his last five games. The elixir could be on tap in Week 14 against a weak Arizona pass defense. Johnson should get his opportunities whether or not JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) continues to be sidelined, though…read more
Published: Sun, Dec 1 at 4:45pm by Rotowire.com
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Key role awaits in Week 13
Johnson and James Washington are expected to serve as the Steelers' primary options at wide receiver Sunday against the Browns with JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) ruled out for a second straight game, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Pryor speculates that Deon Cain could also see a bump in snaps after making a big 35-yard catch in last week's 16-10 win over Cincinnati, but Johnson and Washington should remain the team's clear top two receivers after handling 68 percent and 78 percent offensive snaps shares, respectively, against the Bengals. Washington provided the top highlight last week -- a 79-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown -- but the wideouts have seen similar involvement in the passing game throughout the season.…read more
Published: Fri, Nov 29 at 2:23pm by Rotowire.com
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Makes three catches in return
Johnson caught three of six targets for 29 yards during Sunday's 16-10 win over the Bengals.
Analysis: After recovering from a concussion, Johnson finished second on the team in targets in his return, though he only managed to haul in half the passes sent his way. He recorded a long gain of 14 yards but never really got in a rhythm after Devlin Hodges took over under center. Johnson seems to be at full speed after his injury, but his upside is capped in next Sunday's matchup with the Browns due to lackluster quarterback play.
Published: Sun, Nov 24 at 3:08pm by Rotowire.com
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Cleared to play
Johnson (concussion) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bengals.
Analysis: Johnson practiced fully all week, which puts him in line to play Sunday. He'll play a key role opposite fellow wideout James Washington this weekend, with JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion/knee) already having been ruled out on Friday's final Week 12 injury report. In that context, Johnson -- who caught two passes for 17 yards while logging 38 snaps before exiting Week 11's loss to the Browns -- appears to be in a good spot for a bounce-back effort, facing an 0-10 Cincinnati squad that has…read more
Published: Fri, Nov 22 at 12:18pm by Rotowire.com
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Another full practice
Johnson (concussion) was listed as a full participant at Thursday's practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Johnson's ability to complete full practices on back-to-back days to kick off the week bode well for his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Bengals, but he'll retain an injury tag until he gains clearance from an independent neurologist, the final stage of the NFL's five-step protocol for concussions. Assuming Johnson ultimately gets the green light to play, he'll likely represent one of the top targets for quarterback Mason Rudolph, especially with No. 1 wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster…read more
Published: Thu, Nov 21 at 1:29pm by Rotowire.com
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Practices fully, but in protocol
Johnson (concussion) was listed as a full practice participant Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Analysis: While Adam Schefter of ESPN previously suggested that it might be a "mild upset" to see Johnson play Sunday against the Bengals, the wideout's participation in the first practice of Week 12 offers some encouragement about his prospects. In any case, Johnson still resides in the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, which is also the case with fellow wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee/concussion), who didn't practice in any fashion Wednesday.
Published: Wed, Nov 20 at 2:05pm by Rotowire.com
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Week 12 status in question
Johnson (concussion) doesn't appear to be trending toward suiting up Sunday against the Bengals, with Adam Schefter of ESPN labeling it "a mild upset" if the receiver were to garner an active status.
Analysis: Meanwhile, JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee/concussion) also looks unlikely to play this week, which would leave Pittsburgh with a depleted receiver room. In the event both Smith-Schuster and Johnson are sidelined in Week 12, James Washington, Johnny Holton, Tevin Jones and Deon Cain would represent the Steelers' healthy options at wideout.
Published: Wed, Nov 20 at 11:14am by Rotowire.com
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Enters concussion protocol
Johnson was diagnosed with a concussion after exiting Thursday's 21-7 loss to the Browns following a helmet-to-helmet hit from Cleveland safety Damarious Randall, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Pittsburgh ended up losing both of its top two receivers to concussions in the contest, as JuJu Smith-Schuster exited in the first half with the head injury before Johnson followed him to the locker room in the third quarter. Johnson's concussion may have been the more significant of the two, as Schefter notes the rookie was bleeding from his ear after being hit by Randall. Johnson will need to clear the NFL's five-step protocol before he's able to play again, but the fact that Pittsburgh's…read more
Published: Fri, Nov 15 at 1:28pm by Rotowire.com
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Ineffective before exiting
Johnson caught two of four targets for 17 yards in Thursday's 21-7 loss to the Browns before exiting in the third quarter after he was on the receiving end of a helmet-to-helmet hit from the Browns' Damarious Randall.
Analysis: In what can only be characterized as an ugly game -- from the inept Pittsburgh offense to the numerous injuries to the multiple player ejections -- Johnson continued to frustrate fantasy managers before suffering his own game-ending injury. He will have 10 days to clear the league's concussion protocol before the Steelers play their next game Week 12 versus Cincinnati. Johnson was limited to three catches for 15 yards in the Steelers' first matchup with the Bengals back in Week 4.
Published: Thu, Nov 14 at 10:14pm by Rotowire.com
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Ruled out for remainder of contest
Johnson (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's contest against the Browns, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports.
Analysis: Johnson was down on the field for several minutes after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from Damarious Randall. The rookie will now enter league concussion protocol testing, so look for more updates on his status to come next week when the Steelers resume practice. In the meantime, James Washington, Johnny Holton and Tevin Jones will be the only available wideouts for Pittsburgh for the remainder of the contest.
Published: Thu, Nov 14 at 8:03pm by Rotowire.com
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Questionable to return
Johnson is being evaluated for a concussion and is questionable to return to Thursday's contest against the Browns, Steelers Director of Communications Burt Lauten reports.
Analysis: Johnson took a nasty helmet-to-helmet hit from Damarious Randall, who was ejected from the contest as a result. The rookie will have to pass concussion protocol before he can return to the field. The Steelers are already down JuJu Smith-Schuster -- who also suffered a concussion in Thursday's contest. As a result, James Washington, Johnny Holton and Tevin Jones will be the only active wide receivers remaining in the game.
Published: Thu, Nov 14 at 7:39pm by Rotowire.com
More news and analysis available atNFL.com -
Contributes 64 yards in win
Johnson caught four of six targets for 64 yards in Sunday's 17-12 win over the Rams.
Analysis: The Steelers offense struggled to get anything going for most of the game, resulting in its fewest points scored since Week 1. What little offense the team could muster came in the first half and Johnson's game mirrored that of the team, as he pulled in all four of his receptions in the first 20 minutes. He was only targeted once in the entire second half, and while his role does seem to be increasing, Johnson cannot be relied upon to provide consistent fantasy production. Pittsburgh has a…read more
Published: Mon, Nov 11 at 8:16am by Rotowire.com
More news and analysis available atNFL.com -
Held in check
Johnson caught one of two targets for three yards in Sunday's 26-24 win over the Colts. He also ran once for two yards.
Analysis: The downfield passing game was virtually non-existent for the Steelers, with quarterback Mason Rudolph averaging just 5.5 yards per attempt and targeting running back Jaylen Samuels as many times (13) as all other players combined. This was a disappointing effort for Johnson after catching five of seven targets for 84 yards and a touchdown in his previous game. Week 10 doesn't look to be any better for the rookie receiver, as opposing wideouts have not scored a touchdown against the Rams in the…read more
Published: Sun, Nov 3 at 6:26pm by Rotowire.com
More news and analysis available atNFL.com
- NFC Pro Bowl Team vs. AFC Pro Bowl Team - HighlightsSun, Feb 6 at 4:30pm
Game Pass
- Flea-flicker! Mac Jones fires missile to Diontae JohnsonSun, Feb 6 at 3:15pm
Flea-flicker! New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones fires missile to Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
- Roethlisberger connects with Diontae Johnson for 13-yard TDSun, Jan 16 at 7:38pm
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger connects with Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson for a 13-yard touchdown.
- Roethlisberger rips quick-slant TD to Diontae JohnsonMon, Jan 3 at 6:14pm
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
- Diontae Johnson's slick move gives him walk-in TD catch and runSun, Dec 26 at 4:17pm
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson catches a pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for a touchdown.
- Diontae Johnson wows Romo, Nantz on 18-yard leaping grabSun, Dec 26 at 1:36pm
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson makes a great catch after adjusting to a pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
- Roethlisberger's pump fake buys time for successful two-point loft to JohnsonThu, Dec 9 at 8:38pm
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's pump fake buys time for a successful two-point loft to wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
- Diontae Johnson fights off defensive P.I. for impressive 37-yard grabThu, Dec 9 at 8:13pm
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson fights off defensive P.I. for an impressive 37-yard grab.
- NFL Numbers: Week 13's Winning NumbersThu, Dec 9 at 5:35pm
– Watch the eight longest touchdowns from Week 13 that produced the winning $5M NFL Numbers presented by DraftKings Sportsbook. Play free at NFL.com/numbers
- RedHot Recaps: Week 13Wed, Dec 8 at 10:01am
Check out some of the hottest performances from Week 13 of the 2021 NFL season in this installment of RedHot Recaps presented by Frank's RedHot.
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Up Next- NFC Pro Bowl Team vs. AFC Pro Bowl Team - HighlightsSun, Feb 6 at 4:30pm
Game Pass
- Flea-flicker! Mac Jones fires missile to Diontae JohnsonSun, Feb 6 at 3:15pm
Flea-flicker! New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones fires missile to Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
- Roethlisberger connects with Diontae Johnson for 13-yard TDSun, Jan 16 at 7:38pm
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger connects with Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson for a 13-yard touchdown.
- Roethlisberger rips quick-slant TD to Diontae JohnsonMon, Jan 3 at 6:14pm
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
- Diontae Johnson's slick move gives him walk-in TD catch and runSun, Dec 26 at 4:17pm
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson catches a pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for a touchdown.
- Diontae Johnson wows Romo, Nantz on 18-yard leaping grabSun, Dec 26 at 1:36pm
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson makes a great catch after adjusting to a pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
- Roethlisberger's pump fake buys time for successful two-point loft to JohnsonThu, Dec 9 at 8:38pm
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's pump fake buys time for a successful two-point loft to wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
- Diontae Johnson fights off defensive P.I. for impressive 37-yard grabThu, Dec 9 at 8:13pm
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson fights off defensive P.I. for an impressive 37-yard grab.
- NFL Numbers: Week 13's Winning NumbersThu, Dec 9 at 5:35pm
– Watch the eight longest touchdowns from Week 13 that produced the winning $5M NFL Numbers presented by DraftKings Sportsbook. Play free at NFL.com/numbers
- RedHot Recaps: Week 13Wed, Dec 8 at 10:01am
Check out some of the hottest performances from Week 13 of the 2021 NFL season in this installment of RedHot Recaps presented by Frank's RedHot.