By: Michael Stiffler, @Stiffeezy_ on Twitter
SteelerNation.com
Injuries continue to plague the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver room. To start off training camp, James Washington was placed on the COVID-19 list and unable to participate. After coming off the COVID-19 list, Washington was practicing on a limited basis but has since returned as a full participant. Diontae Johnson got bit by the injury bug and has been out of practice since the end of last week with what is listed as a calf injury. News came out that Ryan Switzer has a foot injury and no further prognosis has been given. While none of these injuries seem long term in nature according to head coach Mike Tomlin, it begs the question if Ben Roethlisberger will be able to develop chemistry with some of these newer receivers in a short amount of time.
While the presence of Roethlisberger will make every receiver better, he has not had the ability to develop a rapport with some of the newer receivers like he has with Juju Smith-Schuster. Starting with rookie wide receiver Chase Claypool, who has been the biggest beneficiary of injuries to the wide receiver room, is only a rookie. Claypool is not only adjusting to Roethlisberger and how he sees things, he is adjusting to the NFL game. Even though he is earning early rave reviews from nearly everyone at Steelers camp, he is sure to have growing pains in the process so expectations should be tempered.
Johnson is nearly in the same boat as Claypool in terms of learning how Roethlisberger sees the game. The one receiver who Steeler Nation has been hyped up to see this season, has had little time to work with Roethlisberger. Last season, Johnson did not break onto the scene until after the downfall of former Steelers WR, Donte Moncrief. At this point it was too little too late as Roethlisberger’s season had already ended. The missed time between the two is unfortunate as Johnson has been touted as an exceptional route runner and if they could get their timing down, it could be something special to see.
Washington, although in his 3rd year with the Steelers, has had one real season with Roethlisberger, which was during his rookie campaign. We all remember how that went, where Roethlisberger publicly commented on Washington’s rookie mistakes. Last season should have been the time for Washington to prove himself to the quarterback but unfortunately that was not the case. This duo might be the most important going forward, as Washington was the Steelers leading receiver last season and the player who regularly made “splash” plays in an otherwise stagnant offense.
Without preseason games, it remains to be seen how Roethlisberger and company will perform. Will it be a rocky start, or will the Steelers come out not missing a beat? What do you think? Drop a comment below!
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