2 min read • September 11, 2020
Posted in
Ben Roethlisberger - QB
The Steelers quarterback suffered a season ending right elbow injury with reconstructive surgery and is reportedly recovering. Despite the protestations of the team that this was not a "Tommy John" injury, We feel it definitely was an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament. His recent point that he tore three of five flexor tendons in his elbow is a semantic difference, as these tendons still attach at the same point that the ulnar collateral ligament (Tommy John) does. Roesthlisberger will be on a pitch count this offseason as he makes a comeback, but it is much easier for quarterbacks to recover from this injury than pitchers. The good news is the throwing mechanics for a quarterback make it easier to return than for a pitcher. We have relative confidence that his elbow will be ok. It could affect some deep balls or tight window throws but his age and rust are part of the equation too. At 38 years old, he still appears to have gas in the tank, and if he can return to his 2018 form (5,129 yards, 67.0%, completion percentage, 34-16 TD/INT ratio) the Steelers will be in good shape. His physical style of play has seen him often nagged by injuries, but he’s shown a proclivity towards playing through most of those throughout his career.
James Conner - RB
James Conner had a rough injury year in 2019 with issues to his knee, shoulder and thigh. None of the injuries are serious but the cumulative toll of carrying the load without Ben Roethlisberger caught up to him. After an early season minor knee injury, Conner dealt with lingering shoulder issues and then a thigh injury at the end of the year, missing 6 games. In 2019, the Pittsburgh Panther alum rushed for 464 yards, hauled in 34 receptions for 251 yards and scored seven times, in a down performance following a great 2018 season. Some have brought up COVID-19 as an increased risk for Conner given his previous bout with cancer. No question he (and all players) should be careful but there is no proven increased risk for him given that he is not on immunosuppressive medications. Hoping for a bounce back year for Conner and the Steelers offense.
Diontae Johnson - WR
Dionte Johnson had an offseason core muscle hernia type surgery. He suffered the injury in Week 2, but didn’t miss a game last year and finished with 680 yards and five touchdowns on 59 catches. Most of this production came with back-up quarterbacks throwing to him as Ben Roesthlisberger missed most of the 2019 season. Given that the injury likely slowed him down all of 2019 and that the surgery carries a reliable recovery rate, Johnson could be in for a highly productive 2020 season.
Juju Smith-Schuster - WR
JuJu Smith-Schuster had a rough year in his first shot as the unquestioned number one target. He injured his toe in Week 1 and it lingered throughout the season. Then, he lost his starting quarterback in Week 2 for the remainder of the season. In Week 11, he suffered a concussion and knee injury on the same play and went on to miss four games. Smith-Schuster finished with 552 yards and three touchdowns on 42 catches in 2019, down from his big year of 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns on 111 catches in 2018. Now he’s healthy and has his starting quarterback back. Let's see what he can do in take two of being the number one target in Pittsburgh.
Eric Ebron - TE
Eric Ebron and his ankle get a fresh start with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. His time with the Colts ended in controversy, as he missed the final five games of the season to have ankle surgery. Ebron claims it bothered him the whole season while Head coach Frank Reich thought of it more as a "surprise" when he couldn't go anymore. Although there are not details as to the type of ankle surgery, all indications are that he is healthy. Ebron is a high level tight end when he’s at the top of his game, and the Steelers are fortunate to have a player with a 13 touchdown campaign (2018) on their roster.
IR/Opt-Out List
-
Written by
