Steelers enter playoffs confident late fade wasn't an omen
The Pittsburgh Steelers say they're comfortable with where they are at heading into the playoffsJANUARY 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
DIONTAE JOHNSON #18 - WIDE RECEIVER - BALTIMORE RAVENS
363 YDS •
31 REC •
3 TD
363 YDS
31 REC
3 TD
Caps off impressive regular season Johnson brought in three of his four targets for 96 yards in Sunday's 24-22 loss to the Browns.
Impact Johnson missed a day of practice during the week due to an illness, but he was fully healthy for the team's Week 17 matchup against Cleveland. The second-year wideout finished his season with impressive output, accruing his most receiving yards since Week 11. Johnson had some issues with drops along the way, but he still led the team with 144 targets during the regular season. He tallied 88 receptions for 923 yards and seven touchdowns to go with three rushes for 15 yards. He demonstrated his potential in 2020 and could serve as the Steelers' clear top receiver next season if JuJu Smith-Schuster signs elsewhere during the offseason. Regardless of his status for next year, Johnson should continue to play a significant role for Pittsburgh during the playoffs.
JANUARY 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Steelers QB Rudolph shows poise in return to Cleveland
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph's return to Cleveland was a success everywhere but the scoreboardJANUARY 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Face-of-the-Franchise Mason Rudolph Goes DEEP to Diontae Johnson!
JANUARY 3, 2021 • YOUTUBE
Misses practice, but cleared for finale Johnson was listed as a non-participant in Friday's practice due to an illness, but he doesn't carry a designation into Sunday's game against the Browns.
Impact Any absence at practice related to an illness has naturally warranted concern this season, but the Steelers haven't provided any indication his ailment is related to COVID-19. As such, Johnson should be in the clear for the regular-season finale, though how much he actually plays has yet to be determined. The Steelers are already resting starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the contest, and several other top contributors are expected to be rested during the game, if not healthy inactives. Given that Johnson has left multiple games this season due to injury, he would seem to be a prime candidate to play less than his usual allotment of snaps as the Steelers prioritize preserving key players' health for the postseason above all else Week 17.
JANUARY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Steelers can exhale after a wearying run to AFC North title
The Pittsburgh Steelers can finally exhale after locking up the AFC North titleDECEMBER 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Scores seventh touchdown Johnson caught eight of 14 targets for 75 yards and a touchdown while adding a two-yard rush during Sunday's 28-24 win over the Colts.
Impact Johnson led the team in targets while finishing second in catches and receiving yards. The highlight of this performance came on a diving 39-yard touchdown reception that ignited his team's comeback in the third quarter. Johnson has responded encouragingly after his most recent drop issues, hauling in 16 balls for 134 yards and a pair of touchdowns over the last two games. He is also up to seven touchdowns after notching three in his last four games and will look to add to his numbers in next Sunday's regular-season finale against the Browns.
DECEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Steelers rally past Colts to end skid, lock up AFC North
The Pittsburgh Steelers are AFC North championsDECEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Can't-Miss Play: Diontae Johnson's 39-yard TD grab wows Romo, Nantz Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson catches a 39-yard pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
DECEMBER 27, 2020 • NFL.COM
Steelers QB Roethlisberger on slide: "I need to play better"
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says he understands why his play is being criticizedDECEMBER 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Leading receiver in latest loss Johnson caught eight of 13 targets for 59 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 27-17 loss to the Bengals.
Impact Johnson scored Pittsburgh's first points with a 23-yard touchdown early in the third quarter and also drew a fourth-down pass interference call to set up Benny Snell's one-yard touchdown run in the fourth. The 24-year-old receiver put his recent struggles with drops in the rear-view mirror and led Pittsburgh in targets, catches and receiving yards. Johnson has been targeted at least 10 times in nine of 13 games played this season, including six of the past seven. He'll hope to lead the struggling Steelers out of their recent malaise in Week 16 against the Colts.
DECEMBER 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Big Ben pinpoints Diontae Johnson for 23-yard TD dime Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger pinpoints wide receiver Diontae Johnson for 23-yard TD dime.
DECEMBER 22, 2020 • NFL.COM
Diontae Johnson 'a little bit upset' but ready to bounce back from benching From the fifth through the 30th minute of the first half last Sunday night at Buffalo, Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson was glued to the si...
DECEMBER 20, 2020 • POST-GAZETTE.COM
Drops behind him, Diontae Johnson ready for fresh start when Steelers play Bengals Johnson, who leads the Steelers with 694 receiving yards and is second on the team with 69 receptions, admitted that the drops he made again...
DECEMBER 20, 2020 • PENNLIVE.COM
Soaring Ravens can't afford letdown against lowly Jaguars
The Baltimore Ravens left Cleveland on Monday night riding a wave of emotion following a thrilling victory that greatly enhanced their playoff hopesDECEMBER 17, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Moving past drop issues Coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday that he intends to give Johnson a clean slate after the wideout logged three drops during Sunday's loss to the Bills, Joe Rutter of triblive.com re...
Impact Tomlin said Johnson "responded appropriately" to being benched in the first half, saying "we will move forward." However, Tomlin also noted that "one of the ways you help a young man work through [issues] is to reduce his number of snaps" when talking about Chase Claypool, a hint that while Johnson's playing time doesn't seem to be in jeopardy for Monday's upcoming tilt in Cincinnati, the Steelers could consider a change if drops continue to be a problem.
DECEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
3 reasons Steelers can’t bench Diontae Johnson for James Washington Here are the three reasons that the Steelers offense is more dynamic with Johnson than Washington The Steelers offense has hit a stall recen...
DECEMBER 15, 2020 • STILLCURTAIN.COM
Struggles with drops again Johnson hauled in four of his seven targets for 40 yards in Sunday's 26-15 loss to the Bills.
Impact Johnson was targeted four times over the first two drives of Sunday's contest, but he dropped three of those passes. As a result, the 2019 third-rounder appeared to be benched for most of the first half, and he now has a league-worst 13 drops this season. Johnson still was effective with the ball in his hands Sunday, but it's safe to wonder whether he'll have a decreased role going forward if he fails to haul in targets.
DECEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Lack of balance leaves Steelers, Roethlisberger reeling
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says he needs to improve to help his slumping teamDECEMBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
TRAPS & TRENDS: Week 14 Is Diontae Johnson a lingering fantasy disaster waiting to happen in starting lineups? Is the Housto...
DECEMBER 14, 2020 • FANTASYSHARKS.COM
Steelers’ Diontae Johnson benched for most of 1st half after 2 more dropped passes ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Mike Tomlin made good on his threat to replace players who kept dropping passes. Even if he only stuck to it for about...
DECEMBER 14, 2020 • TRIBLIVE.COM
Steelers suddenly on the skids after dismal loss to Buffalo
The Pittsburgh Steelers are strugglingDECEMBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Steelers Diontae Johnson should consider a position change Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson has been having issues with catching the ball off and on since his career began. The Steelers have a...
DECEMBER 11, 2020 • STILLCURTAIN.COM
First loss leaves Steelers with plenty to work on
The Pittsburgh Steelers are no longer perfect, and their first loss of the season left them with plenty to work onDECEMBER 8, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Scores in first defeat Johnson caught eight of 12 targets for 71 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 23-17 loss to Washington.
Impact Johnson's performance was highlighted by his three-yard touchdown to open the game's scoring in the second quarter. Although he struggled with drops for the second game in a row, Johnson still led Pittsburgh in receptions and targets. The shifty wideout has now commanded double-digit looks in five straight games, catching at least six passes in all of those outings and topping 70 yards four times as well. With such high involvement in a dangerous offense, Johnson should remain a quality option despite facing a tough Bills defense Week 14.
DECEMBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
