2 min read • August 14, 2021
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Pittsburgh Steelers
WR Diontae Johnson -
The Steelers WR missed just one game last year due to a back injury that he suffered on a punt return. He dealt with a few minor injuries including an ankle injury and a concussion. Johnson should improve this season after suffering multiple ailments in 2020 and troubles catching the ball as he led the league in drops. The injuries explain his issues with finishing games due to different ailments, and health should not be a concern starting the year. Despite struggling last year he still had more yards (923) than both Chase Claypool (873) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (831) meaning his connection with Big Ben is strong going forward.
WR Chase Claypool -
The Steelers second year wide receiver injured his right ankle, and was helped off the field by his teammates. Early word from Adam Schefter is a quote “minor ankle sprain”. There is no other video or details and the Steelers are characteristically tight lipped on injuries. There is not much to go on here however it seems to be a minor sprain in the sense that there's no fracture and no long term risk. However, it was significant enough that he did not walk off the field under his own power. Medically, this may be considered a grade two lateral ankle sprain, and the anticipation is Claypool will be shut down for the remainder of the preseason. With almost a month to go, Claypool projects well to be a full go Week 1.
OL Zach Banner -
The Steelers starting RT tore his ACL in the first game of the 2020 season. This timing gave him time to recover in full and pass his physical without starting on the PUP list. Banner will need to work his way into full health but seems on his way to making a great return.
OL Trai Turner -
The hulking OL missed Week 1 with the Chargers last year due to a knee issue, before missing another six games with a groin injury. Turner was just recently signed deep into the offseason after the Steelers released RG David DeCastro. Turner is trying to resurrect his career with his third team in three years. He will need to be managed like a veteran, but should bring good experience to this line.
LB Devin Bush -
The emergent linebacker tore his ACL Week 6, required surgery and missed the rest of the season. Bush had no brace as early as April, and should slot right back into his starting spot this season. He was not on PUP and is practicing in limited fashion with the team. Bush seems headed for spot usage as he works his knee back into shape for the second half of the season, but his return will be great news for a Steelers’ linebacking group that was in desperate straits last year.
LB Robert Spillane -
Spillane became an important part of the linebacking core after Bush and former LB Bud Dupree went down early in the season. However, Spillane suffered an MCL injury after taking a hit from RB Derrick Henry and was subsequently placed on IR for four games before being activated to play in the Steelers playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns. He led the team in tackles upon his return, and should be a full-go heading into 2021.
DE Melvin Ingram -
The star defensive end found a new home in Pittsburgh late in the offseason, and is set to fill the shoes of departed pass rusher Bud Dupree, across from T.J. Watt. Ingram was signed late coming off an injury-filled 2020 season, after he was placed on IR twice with a bothersome knee injury. Two trips to IR and you are done for the season according to IR rules. This was the first year he didn’t record a sack in his NFL career. Ingram passed his physical and a new locale could be good for him but his history of knee issues including an ACL tear are cause for concern.
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