PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Even though he won't play for at least a week, probably longer, Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson is not going away.
Johnson said he will be around while he rehabs from a hamstring injury suffered in the second half on Sunday when he planted his foot and it gave out. He doesn't know how long he will miss and there hasn't been a decision to place him on Injured Reserve yet. If he would go on IR it's a minimum four games absence.
"It sucks," Johnson said Thursday. "It's the first game. Didn't get to really do what I wanted to out there. It's frustrating, but at the same time my teammates keep me up. My little son keeps me up. I can't just be in a bad mood because that's not going to no nothing about the situation. All I can do is be a leader of my group, coming in with positive energy with a smile on my face and attacking this rehab."
So he plans to be around his teammates giving them any pointers he sees. He will be there on the sideline sharing anything he sees. Johnson said he's already seen an improvement walking, but is under strict orders not to try to run. It wasn't a pre-existing condition, just something that he knew immediately it was bad.
Now the Steelers offense, coming off only scoring a touchdown and struggling most of the opener, will be without its leading receiver for the last few years.
"I feel like they are going to be as if I was in the offense this week," Johnson said. "I know it's going to be tough on the offense that I won't be there. It's a big hit to the offense. Our receiver room-we got great guys around. Got a great quarterback that knows what he's doing that can put the ball anywhere for us to make plays on the outside."
Calvin Austin said he often talks to Johnson to get pointers about where he can improve. Johnson said while it might be a little early in his career for Austin to have this big of a role, he's smart, knows the playbook and will be comfortable out there Monday night.
"Just go in there and be yourself," Johnson said of his advice to Austin. "Don't try to do too much. Don't try to change the game because your role is going to be bigger this week. I'm there for Cal, he's a pro. All I can do is give him little things to get better at, lend a hand for him. I'm excited to see what he can do on Monday."
