Steelers notes: JuJu Smith-Schuster reportedly ‘day-to-day’

Chris Adamski | Monday, September 27, 2021 4:21 p.m.

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka makes his debut with the Pittsburgh Steelers during Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Signed to the practice squad at the conclusion of training camp, Tuszka was called up to play Sunday after a spate of injuries at his position.

The injury-depleted Pittsburgh Steelers appear to have dodged at least one bullet when it comes to their starters.

Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is “day-to-day” with bruised ribs after tests indicated the lack of a more serious injury, according to a report from the NFL Network. Smith-Schuster left Sunday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter.

The Steelers were already without Diontae Johnson because of a knee injury. That left a wide receivers corps of Chase Claypool, James Washington and a player making his NFL debut in Cody White.

Coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday is expected to update Johnson’s prognosis for playing in Sunday’s game at the Green Bay Packers.

Check down to Najee

Najee Harris had 14 catches Sunday, a franchise record for a running back. With the offensive line unable to provide any running room for him, Harris recently said he is eager to use the passing game as a way to get the ball with room and make plays.

But Harris said after Sunday’s game that the plan wasn’t explicitly to target him as a receiver.

“Those were just checkdowns,” Harris said.

Claypool explained further Monday.

“Defenses are actively taking away the deep ball, throwing safeties over top so I think that’s why we’re doing the underneath throws,” Claypool said. “It’s another weapon to spread out the defense a little bit if we’re able to get him open. And he can obviously make plays with his feet, and that’s great.”

Harris’ 102 receiving yards Sunday was the second-most by a Steelers player in a game this season. He is now second on the team with 149 receiving yards.

Tuszka ready

Derrek Tuszka came off the practice squad Saturday and ended up playing more than half the Steelers’ defensive snaps Sunday. Playing because of injuries to outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, Tuszka was second only to veteran Melvin Ingram (who played all 47 snaps) with 27 snaps logged versus the Bengals.

“My conditioning level, I feel, is really good,” said Tuszka, who as the game went on seemed to surpass the active-rostered Jamir Jones on the OLB depth chart.

“I feel like I had a decent game. Always room for improvement, but a good game to build off and keep going forward.”

A seventh-round pick of the Denver Broncos out of North Dakota State last year, Tuszka doubled the number of career defensive snaps he’s played. Tuszka dressed for nine games for the Broncos last season but was waived at the end of training camp. The Steelers signed him to their practice squad.

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