The Pittsburgh Steelers will activate JuJu Smith-Schuster from injured reserve ahead of Sunday night’s AFC wild-card game against the Kansas City Chiefs, and the wide receiver said he expects to play.
“God answered my prayers & I’ve recovered from my season-ending shoulder injury earlier than expected,” he wrote on social media Saturday. “I can’t believe I get another chance to take the field with this team and play in a playoff game to keep our season alive. Steelers Nation, #HereWeGo!”
That was the second piece of good news for the Steelers on Saturday. Rookie running back Najee Harris was removed from the injured list and is expected to play in Kansas City, as well.
Smith-Schuster returned to practice on Thursday. He sustained a shoulder injury in Pittsburgh’s 27-19 victory over the Denver Broncos on Oct. 10. He was expected to miss the remainder of the 2021 season after undergoing surgery.
Smith-Schuster, 25, had 15 receptions for 129 yards and no touchdowns in five games this season. He signed a one-year, $8 million contract prior to the season.
A Pro Bowl selection in 2018, Smith-Schuster has 323 catches for 3,855 yards and 26 touchdowns in 63 career games. He was selected by Pittsburgh in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Harris, 23, injured his elbow in last Sunday’s 16-13 overtime victory over the host Baltimore Ravens. He was a full participant in Friday’s practice and the team listed him as questionable for Sunday’s game.
“It was sore for a couple of days but it’s feeling better,” Harris said after Friday’s practice.
The 24th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Alabama product finished fourth in the league with 1,200 rushing yards, which led all rookies this season. In addition to seven rushing touchdowns, Harris has 74 receptions for 367 yards and three more scores.
In the Steelers’ 36-10 loss at Kansas City on Dec. 26, Harris rushed for a game-high 93 yards on 19 carries. He also had five catches for 17 yards.
–Field Level Media
