WR Chase Claypool: 'Deep' Steelers will be fine if Diontae Johnson can't play

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool expects Diontae Johnson to play against the Bengals in Week 1. However, if Johnson can’t, Claypool believes the Steelers' wide receiving corps will be fine.

“We’re deep, so in case one of us goes down, we’ll be able to keep the ball rolling,” Claypool said, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. 

Johnson is nursing a left shoulder injury that he suffered in the final preseason game against the Detroit Lions. The Steelers limited Johnson’s participation in practice Wednesday. 

Johnson told the NFL Network's Mike Giardi, “It’s annoying. I tried to do everything I could (at practice on Wednesday).” 

Replacing Johnson, a top-10 wideout in 2021, could be a problem. If he can’t go, Claypool’s role will expand. 

Claypool showed promise in his first two seasons, but questions about his concentration and maturity arose. In a Week 15 loss against the Vikings, he celebrated a first down, costing the team precious seconds late in the game. 

Sports Illustrated’s Albret Breer reported head coach Mike Tomlin briefly benched Claypool in the first quarter of that game.

“It can’t come fast enough for him. It can’t come fast enough for us,” Tomlin told NFL Network’s Andrew Sicilano, when commenting on Claypool’s maturity.

In the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Steelers drafted wide receiver George Pickens, who was stellar in the preseason. If Claypool doesn't play well, he could be eclipsed by Pickens.