Diontae Johnson out 'a few weeks' with hamstring injury

Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson likely will be out several weeks after straining a hamstring in the season opener.

This is according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who reported that Johnson will be out a “few weeks.” Schefter quoted a source he did not identify.

Steelers’ WR Diontae Johnson is expected to be sidelined “a few weeks” due to the hamstring injury he suffered Sunday vs. the 49ers, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 12, 2023

Loss to 49ers will linger thanks to injuries to Diontae Johnson, Cameron Heyward

So, it seems the 30-7 loss to the 49ers still will impact the Steelers for an extended stretch. Diontae Johnson is the Steelers’ best receiver. He caught 86 passes in 2022 after posting a career-best 107 receptions in 2021. Johnson is so consistent that he hasn’t caught fewer than 86 passes over the past three seasons.

The Steelers selected Johnson out of Toledo in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Allen Robinson replaced Johnson in the lineup. The Steelers traded for him from the Rams in the offseason. And the 30-year-old Robinson responded well. He posted 53 receiving yards in the fourth quarter against the 49ers. Johnson’s stat line for the game — three receptions for 48 yards. 

Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot shared a clip of one of Kenny Pickett’s errant throws to Johnson. It was that sort of day for the Steelers.

Worst throw of Kenny Pickett's young NFL career and it sums up how bad of a day he had. Should've been an easy TD to Diontae Johnson. Dude feels cursed that he can't find the end zone. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/x0ooWK1Fz5

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) September 11, 2023

Next up for Steelers — MNF matchup against Browns

Pittsburgh fans would prefer to forget about the season opener. The Steelers lost Cameron Heyward, one of their top defensive players, to a groin injury. The Athletic reported that Heyward needs surgery and will be out indefinitely. However, Pittsburgh officials do not believe Heyward will be lost for the season. He likely will go on injured reserve, which means he’ll miss at least four games. Heyward left the game in the second quarter.

The Steelers need to regroup quickly without Diontae Johnson and Cameron Heyward. They play host to Cleveland, fresh off their upset of the Bengals, on Monday Night Football. The Browns sacked Joe Burrow twice, keeping the highest-paid player in NFL history in check. Burrow stayed miserable, throwing for only 82 yards.

Meanwhile, the 49ers sacked Pickett five times. It took the Steelers nearly two full quarters to earn their initial first down.