After heading into last week's game basically at full strength, the Steelers have a few more bumps and bruises this week as they get ready to host the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football at Acrisure Stadium.
Receiver Diontae Johnson (hamstring) has been ruled out after suffering his injury against the 49ers last week. Johnson missed practice all week and he will be sidelined. In addition, receiver George Pickens was added to the injury report, limited with a hamstring injury, but he is not on the status report for the game.
With Johnson out, it will be receiver by committee per offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Quarterback Kenny Pickett echoed that sentiment.
"I think it's by committee," said Pickett. "Obviously, Diontae is a really good player, does so many good things for us, and was really kind of trending in the right way. I thought we had a great offseason and were doing great things in the game. Everyone's got to step up and pick it up. It can't just be one guy. But I had a ton of reps with everybody. So, I'm confident they'll go out there and execute."
All of the receivers will be called upon, but one other player expected to have a larger role is second-year receiver Calvin Austin III, someone Pickett has plenty of confidence in.
"Yeah, it's been high. It's always been high on Calvin," said Pickett. "He does a great job. He worked so hard, always where I needed him to be, so I think that's why we have success working together and I'm excited to get back out there on Monday and continue that success."
The team also promoted Dez Fitzpatrick from the practice squad to the active roster. Fitzpatrick was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He played in four games in 2021 and was on the Titans practice squad in 2022, playing in one game. Fitzpatrick has five receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown in five regular season games.
He didn't know what kind of role he would have but is ready to help the offense or on special teams.
"I can play a good amount of positions on the field, from special teams to outside receiver, inside receiver," said Fitzpatrick. "It's a plug and play mentality for me.
"My special teams ability has grown. That's more of a want-to. That's what Danny (Smith) always says, that's what my dad says, that's what most coaches always say. If you want more than the guy across the field, you are most likely going to win that battle."
The defensive line will also be relying on the next man up mentality with Cameron Heyward on the Reserve/Injured List and defensive end Larry Ogunjobi dealing with his foot injury, although he did practice on Saturday.
Linebacker Kwon Alexander knows moving forward for now without Heyward isn't going to be easy, but it's what they have to do.
"It's very tough," said Alexander. "We have more dawgs too. Cam is tough. He is a veteran. Been in the league a long time. Knows how to play the game well. We have guys that have to step up and get ready for the action."
One of those players ready to step up is defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk.
"I put a lot of work in this offseason," said Loudermilk. "I feel pretty confident in whatever role I am going to have coming up. I think a lot guys on the d-line think the same way. It's a big opportunity for a lot of us. A lot of us put a lot of work in in the offseason. For me, it's kind of the same as my rookie season, I got thrown in the fire. Now, being year three I am a lot more confident in that.
"It's just next man up mentality, so they are going to count on us without there being a lot of changes and be able to stop the run and get the job done."
Also ruled out this week is running back Anthony McFarland Jr., who has missed practice time this week with a knee injury.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 2
Game Status
No. 18 WR Diontae Johnson (Hamstring) - Out
No. 26 RB Anthony McFarland Jr. (Knee) - Out
Saturday, September 16
No. 14 WR George Pickens (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 18 WR Diontae Johnson (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 26 RB Anthony McFarland Jr. (Knee) - DNP
No. 73 OL Isaac Seumalo (NIR) - Full
No. 76 OL Chukwuma Okorafor (Concussion) - Full
No. 78 OL James Daniels (Ankle) - Full
No. 88 TE Pat Freiermuth (Chest) - Full
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Foot) - Full
Friday, September 15
No. 18 WR Diontae Johnson (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 26 RB Anthony McFarland Jr. (Knee) - DNP
No. 73 OL Isaac Seumalo (NIR) - DNP
No. 76 OL Chukwuma Okorafor (Concussion) - Limited
No. 78 OL James Daniels (Ankle) - Limited
No. 88 TE Pat Freiermuth (Chest) - Full
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Foot) - DNP
Thursday, September 14
No. 18 WR Diontae Johnson (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 26 RB Anthony McFarland Jr. (Knee) - DNP
No. 76 OL Chukwuma Okorafor (Concussion) - Limited
No. 78 OL James Daniels (Ankle) - Limited
No. 88 TE Pat Freiermuth (Chest) - Limited
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (Foot) - Limited
Cleveland Browns Participation/Injury Report, Week 2
Game Status
No. 2 WR A. Cooper (Non-Injury Related, Groin) - Limited
No. 62 DT S. Ika (Foot) - DNP
No. 1 S J. Thornhill (Calf) - Limited
Saturday, September 16
No. 75 G J. Bitonio (Non-Injury Related) - Full
No. 2 WR A. Cooper (Non-Injury Related, Groin) - Limited
No. 95 DE M. Garrett (Non-Injury Related) - Full
No. 93 DT S. Harris (Achilles) - Full
No. 90 DT M. Hurst (Hamstring) - Full
No. 62 DT S. Ika (Foot) - DNP
No. 79 T D. Jones (Wrist) - Full
No. 1 S J. Thornhill (Calf) - Limited
No. 5 LB A. Walker (Non-Injury Related) - Full
No. 71 T J. Wills (Foot) - Full
Friday, September 15
No. 75 G J. Bitonio (Non-Injury Related) - Full
No. 2 WR A. Cooper (Non-Injury Related) - Full
No. 95 DE M. Garrett (Non-Injury Related) - Full
No. 93 DT S. Harris (Achilles) - Limited
No. 90 DT M. Hurst (Hamstring) - Limited
No. 62 DT S. Ika (Foot) - DNP
No. 1 S J. Thornhill (Calf) - Limited
No. 5 LB A. Walker (Non-Injury Related) - Full
No. 71 T J. Wills (Foot) - Limited
Thursday, September 14
No. 75 G J. Bitonio (Non-Injury Related) - DNP
No. 2 WR A. Cooper (Non-Injury Related) - DNP
No. 95 DE M. Garrett (Non-Injury Related) - DNP
No. 93 DT S. Harris (Achilles) - DNP
No. 90 DT M. Hurst (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 62 DT S. Ika (Foot) - DNP
No. 1 S J. Thornhill (Calf) - DNP
No. 5 LB A. Walker (Non-Injury Related) - DNP
No. 71 T J. Wills (Foot) - Limited
