PITTSBURGH — January brings with it what seemed impossible in October.
The shoulder injury was considered to have been a season-ending one. Denver BroncosWeek 5 Pittsburgh SteelersLarge receiver JuJu Smith-SchusterSaturday’s activation of Injured reserve
Smith-Schuster is expected against the Kansas City ChiefsSunday night’s wild card matchup.
Running back Najee Harris(elbow), which was previously listed as doubtful, was also removed by the Steelers’ Injury Report and is expected play Sunday.
Smith-Schuster: “God answered all my prayers (and I’m now fully recovered from my shoulder injury that ended my season earlier than I expected,” Smith-Schuster tweeted Saturday afternoon. “I cannot believe that I will get another chance to play with this team in a playoff match to save our season.”
Smith-Schuster is not available for play but will likely be playing on a snap count. However, Smith-Schuster’s addition is a huge boost for Steelers.
“He sustained a very serious injury,” quarterback Ben RoethlisbergerOn Friday morning, he spoke to the DVE Morning show on 102.5 WDVE. JuJu is physical in his game. We all know this. It is something we all love. He could be a boost to this offense. Even if it is just a few plays, he can bring energy and encouragement to the sideline. Anything like that, to have one your guys out there, would be huge for our team.”
Smith-Schuster was 25, who had to have shoulder surgery following the injury. He has been off the field for 14 weeks. On Thursday, he was notified that he would be returning from IR and he practiced with the team on Thursday and Friday.
“It seemed like he was ready,” another wide receiver Diontae JohnsonThis week, he said. He said, “He needs to get back in the groove of things, but he looked very smooth today.
“Great hands, natural catcher. Big hands, strong guy. He’s still JuJu just by watching him run around. It’s exciting.”
Smith-Schuster is expected to become a free agent following the season. However, he returned to the Steelers with a one-year contract in free agency. Unfortunately, he was limited by an early injury that limited his impact. He has only 15 catches for 129 yards in five games. Smith-Schuster was released on September 1. Ray-Ray McCloudHe has fulfilled his slot receiver role, making 39 catches for 277 yard.
Johnson stated that Johnson brings back the positive energy he had always had and that he has always brought. It’s hard to find a guy like Johnson, who cares about football as much as his teammates. He does everything for the team. He is a great person. When he’s there, there’s never a dull moment.”