Diontae Johnson sent home by Steelers — because of illness, not discipline
Diontae Johnson was sent home by the Pittsburgh Steelers before Thursday’s practice. But it wasn’t for any discipline or any other reason, the team said. It was because of illness.
Johnson was criticized throughout the league for his lack of effort on a play during Sunday’s game at the Cincinnati Bengals in which teammate Jaylen Warren fumbled. Johnson addressed the situation with teammates, he said Wednesday, and coach Mike Tomlin has given no indication Johnson will receive any punishment from the team.
The Steelers leader in receptions, yards or both each of the past four full seasons, Johnson practiced fully Wednesday. Several teammates publicly expressed no further irritation with Johnson, said they accepted his words and moved on. A week before the effort play in question in Cincinnati, Johnson got into a verbal altercation with teammates and coaches after a loss at the Cleveland Browns.
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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