Diontae Johnson, Chuks Okorafor each declares himself ‘good to go’ for Steelers opener

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Diontae Johnson, Chuks Okorafor each declares himself ‘good to go’ for Steelers opener

Chris Adamski | Friday, September 9, 2022 1:52 p.m.

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson watches a practice last month. Johnson suffered a shoulder injury in the preseason finale but practiced fully late this week and declared himself available for Sunday’s regular-season opener at the Cincinnati Bengals.

Two tenured, important starters on the Pittsburgh Steelers offense declared themselves “good to go” Friday for Sunday’s season opener.

Wide receiver Diontae Johnson has been hindered by a shoulder injury, and he left Thursday’s practice because of a painful cramp in his foot. Right tackle Chuks Okorafor was listed on the injury report as having not practiced Thursday.

Each, however, practiced fully Friday and will play Sunday at the Cincinnati Bengals.

“I am feeling good,” said Johnson, who suffered his injury during the Aug. 28 preseason finale. “My shoulder is getting better — a lot better, actually. It feels much better. And I am ready to go on Sunday.

“Most definitely ready to go. I mean, I could play through a little bit of pain; I have done it before, so it’s nothing I haven’t done.”

Diontae Johnson (shoulder) is “ready to go… good to go” for Sunday vs Bengals pic.twitter.com/l2lRwuZiOp

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 9, 2022

Okorafor was a new addition to the injury report Thursday. He has started 31 of the 32 games the Steelers have played since he took over as their No. 1 right tackle during Week 1 of the 2020 season.

“I am good, will be good (Sunday),” Okorafor said after Friday’s practice. “I’m good to go.”

Chuks Okorafor is succinct on his status for Sundays game and what he did in todays practice pic.twitter.com/BzynLTCef8

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 9, 2022

Okorafor said he had no limitations at Friday’s practice and declined any specifics on what happened Thursday.

“I am good to go,” Okorafor repeated.

Special-teamer and reserve inside linebacker Marcus Allen (hamstring) is the only other Steelers player on the injury report this week. He, too, was cleared, meaning the Steelers will have their entire 53-man active roster at full health for their season opener.

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