Steelers offense, punchless vs. Bengals in 2021, will have star WR Diontae Johnson in Week 1

The Bengals outscored the Steelers, 65-20, in their two games last season, so it’s fair to say Pittsburgh will need help offensively when it plays the AFC champions Sunday. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson, battling a left shoulder injury, will be among the team's weapons.

“I’m back on track and ready to go,” Johnson said, via Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Johnson injured his shoulder during the final preseason game against the Lions. He was limited in Thursday’s practice, but he noted foot cramping forced him to sit out, not his shoulder. 

“My foot locked up on me,” Johnson told Batko. 

Former Bears Pro Bowler Mitch Trubisky, who hasn’t started a game since 2020, will start for the Steelers at QB. His backup is first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett, the fanbase favorite and former Pitt star.

In addition to Johnson at wide receiver, the Steelers have wideout Chase Claypool, who is dogged by questions about his maturity and focus, and rookie George Pickens.

Pittsburgh, which has excelled in drafting wide receivers recently, apparently gambled by taking Pickens in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In a story published after the draft, a wide receivers coach told The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman that Pickens has “… so many red flags, and they’re big red flags.”

If he indeed had red flags, the Steelers ignored them, and Pickens impressed in training camp with dazzling catches. 

With Johnson set to play in Week 1 and Pickens ready to go, the Steelers might score more than 20 points against the Bengals this season.