2 min read • October 11, 2021
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Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster will reportedly have surgery on a dislocated right shoulder, ending his season. The flashy wideout suffered the injury late in the second quarter on a violent hit from Broncos strong safety Kareem Jackson. By video, he likely suffered a dislocation with an indentation fracture, or Hill-Sachs lesion, which is why the shoulder was not reducible on the field or the sidelines. This explains the trip to the hospital for reduction and surgery, and the fact that his season is over. Smith-Schuster was clearly in extreme pain when the medical staff attempted to reduce his shoulder, but it did not pop back in and necessitated the trip to the hospital. He likely underwent a procedure at the hospital to place the shoulder back in the socket, but the surgery to repair the labral damage has reportedly not been performed yet.
The reason the shoulder was not easily reducible was likely related to the "indentation fracture" on the back of the humeral head, where anesthesia was needed to unlock the humeral head and reduce it back into the socket. The Hill-Sachs lesion, or dent in the back of the shoulder, leads to a higher chance of dislocating the shoulder again. Thus, the option of trying to play through the season with a harness was unlikely to be successful. This does effectively end Smith-Schuster's season, and potentially his tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers given his current one-year deal.
The Pro Bowler had 15 catches for 129 yards in four games before the injury. He was held without a catch on Sunday. Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool should see a target increase in Smith-Schuster's absence. Wide receiver James Washington is a competent replacement and will step into Smith-Schuster's role.
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