Juju Smith-Schuster's Injury Status Revealed: Report
By Jason Hall
September 27, 2021
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster is reportedly expected to be "day-to-day" after experiencing rib injury during Sunday's (September 27) 24-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Smith-Schuster "was diagnosed with bruised ribs," according to sources, and is "considered day-today after undergoing all tests and receiving negative results (negatice is good.)"
Smith-Schuster left Sunday's game in the third quarter, though it wasn't clear when exactly the injury occurred.
The five-year veteran recorded three receptions on four targets for 25 yards.
The Steelers were already lacking at wide receiver prior to Smith-Schuster's injury as Diontae Johnson, who had previously served as the team's top receiving option, experienced a knee injury during the final play of Pittsburgh's Week 2 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders and was inactive for Week 3.
#Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, who left Sunday’s game with a rib injury, was diagnosed with bruised ribs, sources say. He’s considered day-to-day after undergoing all tests and receiving negative results (negative is good).
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 27, 2021
The Steelers also dealt with multiple injuries on their offensive line as right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor was helped off the field after experiencing an apparent injury following a false start and later ruled out to be evaluated for a concussion.
Center Kendrick Green was also evaluated for a knee injury.
Smith-Schuster re-signed with the Steelers in March, acknowledging that a return to the Steel City outweighed offers from the Kansas City Chiefs and AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens.
The Steelers dropped to a 1-2 record through their first three 2021 regular season games with Sunday's loss.