Diontae Johnson sits out Steelers practice because of hip injury

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson did not practice Thursday, according to the league-mandated injury report. Johnson was listed as being a limited participant because of a hip ailment Wednesday, the first it was acknowledged publicly that Johnson was suffering from an injury of any kind in the wake of Sunday’s win at the Atlanta Falcons.

Friday’s final practice of the week could be the determining factor if Johnson will be able to play in Sunday’s scheduled Steelers home game against the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens.

Johnson has missed only two of 61 career regular-season games since he was drafted in 2019. Johnson leads the Steelers in targeted passes, catches and receiving yards but has not had a touchdown yet this season.

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• Steelers defense finding ways to get job done without producing QB sacks
• Steelers kicker Chris Boswell returns to practice

Following the trade of Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears last month, the Steelers are thin at wide receiver. If Johnson cannot play, rookie George Pickens would be the only “starter” available at oustide receiver for the Steelers. Steven Sims and Gunner Olszewski are more return specialists who mostly play the slot in their limited offensive usage, and the only other wide receiver on the 53-man roster is veteran Miles Boykin. More known for his special-teams prowess, Boykin has one catch this season and 34 career receptions since entering the league in 2019.

On the practice squad at wide receiver are Cody White and Ja’Marcus Bradley. White, who played 15 games for the Steelers last season, was a call-up for a game two weeks ago.

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