JuJu Smith-Schuster‘s season will, in fact, resume. Despite suffering what was deemed a season-ending shoulder injury in October, the veteran slot receive is expected to play Sunday night in Kansas City, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
The Steelers activated Smith-Schuster off IR on Saturday, clearing the way for his first action since Week 5. Smith-Schuster, who underwent shoulder surgery nearly three months ago, returned to practice this week and has not experienced any issues. While the Steelers are double-digit underdogs in this matchup, having their full assortment of receivers back in uniform will help the visitors’ cause.
Combining for over 2,000 yards, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool have served as Ben Roethlisberger‘s top weapons this season. JuJu did post a 52-yard receiving performance in the team’s Week 1 upset win over the Bills, but he did not contribute as much to a slumping offense in his four ensuing games. Still, the veteran has a Pro Bowl under his belt — from his 1,426-yard 2018 season — and provided a key assist during Big Ben’s 2020 comeback season (831 yards, career-high nine touchdown receptions). Smith-Schuster, 25, will be playing to boost his free agency stock ahead of another bid.
Smith-Schuster discussed deals with the Chiefs and Ravens this past offseason but opted to stay with the Steelers for familiarity purposes, signing a one-year deal worth $8MM. This injury likely will affect the fifth-year wideout’s 2022 market to some degree, but the USC alum displaying full health in Sunday’s game would stand to help him in his second free agency bid.
One thing is for certain…no one thinks half as much about JuJu than JuJu. Prototypical Steeler from that standpoint. That franchise certainly has a knack of finding the worst guys with the most talent.
Do you even know anything about juju or just an ignorant observer? You sound really dumb with this comment
Yeah. Troy Polanski. Franco. Ham. Lambert. Rocky. Swann. Stallworth. Bettis. Heath. Hines. Cam. Second time I’ve read such a comment from you today. I’m taking it your favorite team has lost a lot of games to the Steelers
What an idiotic comment. Haters going to hate.
JuJu is a self-promoter, but he does it in a fun-loving way. Like most wide receivers he is self-confident, but I would hardly call him egotistical or full of himself. As for “prototypical Steeler from that standpoint”… yeah, that’s just nonsense.
This is pretty spot on. Immature? Yeah probably. Interests outside of football? Oh yeah. Selfish? Unintentionally at times, yes.
Egoistical or a bad guy? Not at all.
You phrased it better than I did, Mr. Goodkat. Spot on.
Released Waitman. That leaves big press to punt. Nervous about that. I know he’s going through a lot but waitman is clearly the better punter for tomorrow
Very strange decision, indeed.
If they are relying that much on the punter they are losing the game anyway.
Just my speculation but maybe Boswell is more comfortable with Harvin as his holder for field goals. That part of their job is equally as important as their punting. Regardless, I’m hoping Waitman sticks around and gives Harvin some strong competition next training camp. Waitman looked like he should be somebody’s starting punter, he showed up big in his 2 games.
Bingo
Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Guys just keep on coming back faster and faster from injuries like this – but the overall number of injuries always seems to be getting higher! It’s probably a bit prorated in my mind cause of covid, but still. On the other hand, guys like JuJu, Akers, and Henry are coming back with superspeed. Wow.
Pretty ignorant comment. Everyone recovers differently. Of course players are going to recover faster nowadays than in the past. There have been so many advancements in medicine and these players are in peak physical condition. Its not like your average joe recovering.
Normally I would say this is good news. But with this o-line and an OC who relies on dink and dunk, how much will it really help? Tell me Tuitt, or Alualu are coming back, or that Bush suddenly remembers how to tackle and cover, and I’d be downright ecstatic
This. JuJu will help but he won’t make a difference in an area where they really need it, like run blocking or run defense. At least he gets to suit up as a Steeler at least one more time, because regardless of what you think of his skill level, I don’t think there’s any chance he’s back in Pittsburgh next season.
All depends on the cap situation. He is not going to get big money coming off that injury, regardless of playing this weekend unless they going in an incredible run and JuJu is the reason.
Isn’t going to matter … Juju is average anymore. Won’t change the azz kicking by the Chiefs.