The Steelers wrapped up their preparation for the Cincinnati Bengals, ready to go into the season opener as a healthy team.
Receiver Diontae Johnson, who was limited on Wednesday and Thursday with a shoulder injury, and cramps on Thursday, was a full participant on Friday and feels ready to go.
"I'm feeling good," said Johnson. "My shoulder is getting better, a lot better. It feels a lot better. I am ready to go on Sunday. I can play through a little bit of pain. I've done it before. It's nothing I am not used to."
Johnson said working in practice and testing the shoulder was exactly what he needed to get the confidence that all is good for him.
"I go off of rhythm," said Johnson. "If I am off my rhythm, I feel like I am not going to play as well. I like to stick to my routine. If some little bump in the road gets in the way of my routine, it throws me off a little bit. I got back on track, and I am ready to go."
Johnson's presence on the field is huge for the offense, but offensive coordinator Matt Canada has confidence in the depth if someone does have to step in this week or at any point in the season.
"We'll count on him being ready to go," said Canada on Thursday prior to practice. "We feel good about his progress. But Coach (Mike Tomlin) says it so well all the time, that if some guys are out, it's an opportunity for somebody else. At that spot, we had that all preseason. You guys were all here watching it, he was out for a while early and Chase (Claypool) was out, so we've moved guys around. So, we feel good about the plan we have in place if that happens to anybody. We're hoping he's ready to go."
Right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor didn't practice on Thursday because of a back issue, but there were no issues on Friday and he was back as a full participant.
"I'm good. I'll be good," said Okorafor. "I'm good to go."
Linebacker Marcus Allen, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, was limited on Wednesday but a full participant on Thursday and Friday and is good to go. Cameron Heyward, who was given the day off on Thursday, was back at practice on Friday.
Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 1
Game Status
N/A
Friday, September 9
WR Diontae Johnson (Shoulder/Cramps) - FP
DB Marcus Allen (Hamstring) - FP
OL Chukwuma Okorafor (Back) - FP
DT Cameron Heyward (Coach's Decision) - FP
Thursday, September 8
WR Diontae Johnson (Shoulder/Cramps) - LP
DB Marcus Allen (Hamstring) - FP
OL Chukwuma Okorafor (Back) - DNP
DT Cameron Heyward (Coach's Decision) - DNP
Wednesday, September 7
WR Diontae Johnson (Shoulder) - LP
DB Marcus Allen (Hamstring) - LP
Cincinnati Bengals Participation/Injury Report, Week 1
Game Status
TE Devin Asiasi (Quad) - Out
TE Mitchell Wilcox (Ankle) - Questionable
WR Trent Taylor (Hamstring) - Questionable
Friday, September 9
TE Devin Asiasi (Quad) - DNP
TE Mitchell Wilcox (Ankle) - FP
TE Drew Sample (Knee) - FP
WR Trent Taylor (Hamstring) - LP
Thursday, September 8
TE Devin Asiasi (Quad) - DNP
TE Mitchell Wilcox (Ankle) - LP
TE Drew Sample (Knee) - FP
WR Trent Taylor (Hamstring) - LP
Wednesday, September 7
TE Devin Asiasi (Quad) - DNP
TE Mitchell Wilcox (Ankle) - LP
TE Drew Sample (Knee) - FP
