The Pittsburgh Steelers ruled wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster out for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers with a hamstring injury.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed Smith-Schuster's injury at practice on Tues. Nov. 21. According to NFL.com reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala, Tomlin noted that the injury was “small,” but his young receiver needed reps to play against the Packers during the week.
Pittsburgh selected Smith-Schuster in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of USC. He established himself early in training camp and earned himself a role in the offense. Smith-Schuster soon solidified his place as the Steelers' No. 2 wide receiver. The rookie caught 33 passes for 568 yards and five touchdowns in the team's first 10 games. His performance led to him passing Martavis Bryant on the depth chart. Additionally, Smith-Schuster's charisma and social media presence endeared him to the Steelers' faithful.
Given the Packers' struggles since quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered his shoulder injury, the Steelers likely won't need Smith-Schuster on Sunday. Green Bay enters the game 5-5, but they have lost four of their last five games, including a 23-0 shutout loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11.
Meanwhile, the Steelers enter the game 8-2 and leading the AFC North by three games over the Ravens. Pittsburgh will likely feed struggling running back Le'Veon Bell the football early and often. It would not be a surprise to if the team also targeted Bryant more with Smith-Schuster on the bench.
Ben Roethlisberger and company host the Packers at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC. A victory and a Ravens loss would put Pittsburgh within one win of winning the AFC North.
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