Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver ruled out against the Detroit Lions

Fresh off a win on Monday Night Football against the Chicago Bears, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be looking to extend their winning streak to five on Sunday. Going up against another NFC North opponent in Detroit, Ben Roethlisberger will be without one of his top wide receivers.

The Steelers have officially ruled Chase Claypool out for Sunday’s game with a toe injury. His injury occurred against Chicago after having three catches for 30 yards and two carries for 11 yards.

Claypool is second on the team in receiving, having 433 yards and a touchdown on 29 receptions. Only Diontae Johnson has more receiving yards on the season for Pittsburgh.

The second-year wide receiver has already missed one game this season, not playing in the Week 4 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Chase Claypool injury better than expected

After the win against Chicago, Pittsburgh feard Claypool’s injury would rule him out for the season. After undergoing testing, it was determined he would return at some point during the year.

“Some relatively good news for Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool: His toe injury is not considered season-ending,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said on Wednesday. “There was some fear of that originally, but he’s now considered week-to-week, source said. May miss some time, but will be back.”

Pittsburgh’s replacing another injury

Claypool is not the only Steelers’ wide receiver dealing with an injury. Juju Smith-Schuster was ruled out for the season after being put on injured reserve after he suffered a shoulder injury.

“I love this game so much, more than anyone will know,” said Smith-Schuster. “Football will always come first. Without football, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I cried that night because you never know what the future holds for you.”

Now, after Claypool was supposed to be the Smith-Schuster replacement, Pittsburgh will need somebody else to step up.

Johnson still leads the team in receptions (45) and yards (530). He will be available against the Lions. He and Roethlisberger will have to continue to connect if their offense wants to keep moving.

Rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth should see his role increased as well. He broke out against Chicago on Monday night, having five receptions for 43 yards (just shy of a career best 44 yards) and two touchdowns.