Injured Steelers playmaker: 'Hell yeah I'm coming back' after bye

The bye week for the Steelers seems to have come at the perfect time as they are on track to get a couple of key players back after it. One of those playmakers could help turn Pittsburgh's offense back around.

"Hell yeah I'm coming back. I've been working my behind off," WR Diontae Johnson told reporters. "I feel completely great and healthy. I'm ready for Monday when we come back to start getting back to work."

Johnson exited the Week 1 matchup against the 49ers with a hamstring injury and was later placed on injured reserve. The team is expected to activate him by the start of Week 7.

It may be exactly what Pittsburgh's offense needs as it ranks as the third-worst in total yards per game in the league. The fifth-year wide receiver is arguably one of the best route runners in the NFL, which should only help second-year QB Kenny Pickett get his groove back.

"Obviously, he's a really talented guy. We miss him a lot. He helps move the chains. He gets great separation. He's been a great teammate and leader in that room," Pickett said. "Getting him back is going to be massive for our offense."

Not only will Johnson returning to the lineup help Pickett, but it will help second-year WR George Pickens as well. Pickens has already been putting his incredible talent on display with zero drops on 39 targets this season, per Pro Football Focus, but he will now likely see fewer double teams.

That should help the Steelers offense open up even more, aiding not only the passing game, but also the running game, which ranks as the third-worst in the NFL.

Only time will tell if Johnson is the answer. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada is still predictable in his play-calling, but there's certainly reason for fans in Pittsburgh to be hopeful heading into the bye.