The Steelers didn't activate guard Kevin Dotson from the NFL's Reserve/Injured List this week, meaning his season is over, regardless of how much longer the team's season lasts.
But Thursday, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, out with a shoulder injury since a Week 5 win over the Broncos, returned to practice in advance of the Steelers' playoff game Sunday in Kansas City against the Chiefs. The Steelers will have 21 days for Smith-Schuster to practice before he would then need to be activated or stay on injured reserve.
"He’s worked hard in rehabilitation and gotten to this point," Mike Tomlin said. "We simply started the 21-day window. We’ll look at him, see how he feels and check his level of conditioning, things we normally do when people get into that 21-day window. Kevin Dotson was the latest example of that prior to JuJu. (It was) good to have him out here, but it’s just part of the process."
The move to start Smith-Schuster's clock ticking was a surprise even to his teammates. They didn't know he planned to practice after having been out since Oct. 10.
"No, I had no clue about it," fellow wide receiver Diontae Johnson said. "I was surprised to see him out there today, too. I saw him in the locker room and I was like, ‘Yo, you getting ready for something?’ He was putting on his cleats. If he gets a chance to play, I’m going to be excited for him to see him do what he does, which is make plays. I’m sure everybody missed him doing his dances and stuff out there. It was good seeing him out there moving around again."
How did Smith-Schuster look?
"I thought he looked smooth. He still has great hands, a natural catcher, big hands, a strong guy," Johnson said. "Just being able to see him run around and show he’s still JuJu, it’s exciting."
The potential return of Smith-Schuster would be a boost for the Steelers offense. Though he had just 15 receptions for 129 yards prior to his injury, Smith-Schuster led the team with 97 catches in 2020.
The team's primary slot receiver prior to his injury, with Smith-Schuster sidelined, much of his playing time has gone to Ray-Ray McCloud. McCloud has 39 receptions for 277 yards this season.
Not only was Smith-Schuster back at practice, wide receiver James Washington also is back after missing last week's 16-13 overtime win at Baltimore while on the Reserve/COVID-19 List. The Steelers could have their full compliment of receivers available for the first time in three months.
"Weapons for the offense," said Johnson on what Smith-Schuster and Washington would bring. "I’m happy to have them back in the room, JuJu and James, with the COVID situation. He’s back. He’s fine. For JuJu, I’m happy for him to be back, as long as he’s been out. If he’s coming back, he’s back. If he don’t, that’s a Coach Tomlin decision."
But with a win-or-go-home situation in the playoffs, Tomlin could be inclined to have his most experienced wide receiver available for this game -- provided Smith-Schuster shows he's ready.
In five seasons with the Steelers, who made him a second-round draft pick in 2017, Smith-Schuster has 323 receptions for 3,855 yards and 26 touchdowns.
He's also considered the team's best blocking receiver.
"He brings back that positive energy we need and he always has and brings," Johnson said. "You want to be around a guy like that, who’s all about football, all about his teammates. He’s willing to do anything for the team. And he’s just a people person, too. There’s never a dull moment when he’s around."
A free agent at the end of the 2020 season, Smith-Schuster returned to the Steelers on a one-year, $8-million deal.
Dotson, the team's starting left guard, suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 10 and landed on injured reserve. The Steelers have used Joe Haeg, J.C. Hassenauer, B.J. Finney and, finally, John Leglue in his place.
Leglue has started the team's last five games there and is expected to do so again against the Chiefs. Hassenauer, meanwhile is expected to start at center.
