Wide receiver Diontae Johnson returned to Pittsburgh Steelers practice Friday, signaling it is highly likely he will be able to play in Monday night’s season opener against the New York Giants.
Johnson was listed as a full practice participant on the official injury report a day after he did not practice at all because of a foot injury. Johnson had missed some sessions during training camp at Heinz Field last month.
In his second season, Johnson is expected to serve as a No. 1/1A with JuJu Smith-Schuster in the Steelers’ pecking order.
“He means a lot,” Smith-Schuster said Friday. “He knows the playbook, pretty much can play inside and outside. He’s done a tremendous job. Obviously he practiced today, and he did a great job today, and he’s a huge option for our offense just moving forward.”
For the second consecutive day, the only other player listed on the injury report was veteran guard David DeCastro. Because of a knee injury suffered late in camp, DeCastro is not expected to play in the opener Monday.
The Steelers on Saturday will practice for the final time before the regular season begins. It will not be until then that any player is officially listed as out of Monday’s game.
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