Steelers’ Diontae Johnson fights through injury, ‘rookie wall’

Diontae Johnson was seemingly making plays immediately after his promotion to “starter” status just three games into his rookie NFL season. By November, especially with JuJu Smith-Schuster seeing his production down and now out because of injury, Johnson had the look of the Steelers’ No. 1 receiver.

In recent weeks, though, Johnson’s role in the offense had dwindled. Could it be because of what are three of the most feared words to a first-year NFL player: the rookie wall?

“When you’re a young guy, each and every week you’re presented with challenges,” coach Mike Tomlin said, “and particularly, as you get on this side of Thanksgiving, man, it’s uncharted territory for a guy from Toledo.”

College regular seasons span 12 games, and they end in November. The Steelers are set to play their first post-holiday weekend game — their 13th of the season — Sunday at the Arizona Cardinals.

For a player who stands 5 feet 10, 183 pounds and played in the Mid-American Conference, is Johnson wearing down as the Steelers hit their homestretch? The numbers suggest so; his teammates and coaches insist Johnson is not.

“He’s done a good job, and we’ve been thoughtful about the management of him over the course of the journey,” Tomlin said. “He’ll have gas in the tank for December, and we’ll utilize it.”

James Washington is one year removed from being a Steelers rookie receiver, one who was drafted in a similar spot (No. 60 as opposed to 66th overall). He similarly went through struggles last season.

“The body is not used to it,” Washington said of a long pro season. “But at a time like this, this is when (Johnson) has got to really lock in on the therapy side and make sure his body is ready to go.”

Sure enough, Johnson was in the treatment room right after practice Friday, the final session of the week.

Diontae Johnson is the X-factor for the #Steelers passing game. https://t.co/4GLjGIaTnJ

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) August 6, 2019

Over the past three games, Johnson has just six catches for 60 yards, none of which gaining more than 14 yards. He has caught fewer than half the balls thrown his way (six of 13).

Over the seven games prior to that stretch since he was bumped over Donte Moncrief in the receivers pecking order, Johnson had four catches of at least 30 yards. Since, he has no games in which he has accumulated that amount of yardage.

“He’s always had a couple of nicks and knacks,” offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner said, referring to injuries hindering Johnson this season. “This is a big-person sport, and he’s not a big guy right now, and unfortunately, he’s not going to have time to develop that until the offseason at this point.”

Randall EJECTED. Diontae Johnson most likely concussed. pic.twitter.com/DG6FpmSO5B

— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) November 15, 2019

Johnson’s downtick in production happens to coincide with an injury that — at least by appearances — was far more than a “nick” or “knack.” Johnson suffered a concussion on a helmet-to-helmet hit from the Browns’ Damarious Randall during a Nov. 14 loss at Cleveland.

Johnson did not miss any practice time and was cleared from concussion protocol before the Steelers’ next game, though, and there is no indication his performance has been affected.

And Johnson still is just one average game away from taking over as the Steelers’ leading pass-catcher among wide receivers — or even as the team receptions leader overall. Johnson’s 36 catches trail just running back Jaylen Samuels (39) and Smith-Schuster (38). Smith-Schuster will not play Sunday because of a knee injury.

Johnson is tied for the Steelers lead in receiving touchdowns (three); his next touchdown would tie James Conner for the lead among the team in that category, too.

Those numbers suggest even with his recent downturn in production that Johnson is having a successful rookie season for a third-round pick from a less-renowned college program.

“I’ve approached this season that I am just trying to do whatever I can, whatever is asked of me, and make it a point to learn as much as I can,” Johnson said. “Apply whatever I can by picking people’s brains (and taking it) onto the field in games.”

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