Diontae Johnson did not participate in Steelers' Thursday practice

Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson was off the field during Thursday’s practice. The team provided an update on the fifth-year player.

Johnson is still dealing with a hamstring issue, keeping him sidelined on Thursday. He returned for Pittsburgh’s 24-17 victory over the Rams last week, his first appearance since the Week 1 loss to the 49ers.

Johnson caught five passes for 79 yards on six targets in the game. The receiver caught three passes for 48 yards in the 30-7 loss to San Francisco in the opening week.

Although regarded as one of Pittsburgh’s top receivers, Johnson still has not hauled in a touchdown pass since his Pro Bowl campaign in 2021. That season, he totaled 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns on 107 receptions. Last year, he finished with no touchdown grabs despite totaling 882 yards on 86 catches.

Johnson’s status for Sunday’s game against Jacksonville remains unknown.

Cameron Heyward returns to Steelers practice

Johnson’s absence from practice isn’t the best news for Pittsburgh, but the team did have a positive update this week. Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward returned to the practice field after suffering a groin injury in the opening week.

Heyward remains on injured reserve and the team has 21 days to activate him.

Heyward played only 14 defensive snaps during the Steelers’ season-opening 30-7 loss to the 49ers. He briefly tried to return but quickly left the game.

“Cam is not the type of guy that moves away from his teammates whether he’s participating or not,” Mike Tomlin said during his press conference following Heyward’s injury. “Some of the intangible things, some of the things that you get day-to-day outside the white lines, we’ll still receive the benefit of that. But make no mistake, there’s enough for us to do replacing his tangible contributions, his play, his presence and so forth.”

Although the Steelers defense has played well through the firs portion of the season without Heyward, his return would still be significant.