Steelers WR Diontae Johnson owns up to lack of hustle vs. Bengals: 'Won't happen again'

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4) receiver Diontae Johnson has owned up to his lack of effort during the 16-10 Week 12 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals (5-6) this past Sunday.

Johnson appeared rather disinterested after running back Jaylen Warren put the ball on the ground in the red zone. Although the ball bounced near his leg, Johnson glanced at it before turning the other way and walking off in the other direction. The Bengals recovered the fumble as a result, and Pittsburgh failed to get any points on the promising drive.

Johnson addressed the play Wednesday, saying he apologized to his teammates.

“It was really just me owning up to what I did on Sunday to the team and just let them know it won’t happen again,” Johnson said, via Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “How I feel and how I should go about the situation next time it occurs. I own up to it. I am not perfect. So all I can do is keep moving forward and just play football. That’s all I’m worried about.”

Johnson, who reportedly got into a heated argument with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in the locker room after last Sunday’s 13-10 Week 11 loss to the Cleveland Browns (7-4), hauled in four receptions for 50 yards in the win over Cincinnati. He also came close to securing his second touchdown of the season on the play before Warren fumbled. Johnson’s would-be touchdown was negated after officials ruled the contested catch an incompletion despite having taken three steps in the end zone. 

Mike Tomlin says Diontae Johnson can’t let emotions get the best of him

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Johnson has to manage his emotions better during games.

“Diontae can’t let the emotions of the previous down affect his next down, but I’ll give him an opportunity to address that with you guys. I’ll give him an opportunity to address that with his teammates,” Tomlin said. I’m not going to add any additional color. I think plays like that are best described and outlined by those involved and less so by guys like me.”

Johnson added that if the situation presented itself again, he’d jump on the football and recover the fumble.

“It’s not something I try to do on purpose. Nobody is out there just trying to mess up,” Johnson said. “I’m human just like everybody else out there. … I know what I’ve gotta do. … I’m not perfect, so I just try to make plays at the end of the day. Sometimes things may not go your way. I’m doing the best I can to keep play. That’s all I can do is keep trying.”