JuJu Smith-Schuster Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (shoulder) returned to practice on Thursday. He's been out since suffering a shoulder injury in Week 5 that required surgery. He was supposed to miss the rest of the season and still seems like a big long shot to play vs. the Chiefs this weekend. But we'll keep an eye on him.

Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster underwent shoulder surgery on Sunday night and will miss the remainder of the 2021 season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Smith-Schuster is set to hit free agency next offseason after inking a 1-year deal with Pittsburgh back in March. His absence the rest of this season will make WR Chase Claypool a safer weekly target bet. WR Diontae Johnson, of course, will continue to see plenty of volume.

The Steelers are expected to place WR JuJu Smith-Schuster on IR and fear he may miss the rest of the season with the shoulder injury that knocked him out of Sunday's win over the Broncos, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. With James Washington already out, Ray-Ray McCloud got 52% playing time vs. Denver, behind only Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool at the position. More of a slot player than Johnson, Claypool or Washington, McCloud could continue to see significant playing time for as long as Smith-Schuster is out. We'll see about Washington's status heading into Week 6. We'll also see about the specific diagnosis on Smith-Schuster's shoulder.

Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster injured his shoulder in the 2nd quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Broncos and is questionable to return. We'll update his status when we know more.

Update: Smith-Schuster has been ruled out.

Steelers WR Chase Claypool (hamstring) has been ruled out for tomorrow's game vs. the Packers. No surprise after he hurt that hamstring on Thursday and didn't practice on Friday. His status for Week 5 beyond is uncertain. WR James Washington will step into Claypool's spot in 3-WR sets but would be a shaky fantasy play with QB Ben Roethlisberger struggling badly. WRs Diontae Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster should also pick up extra targets.

Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (ribs) isn’t listed on the final injury report and will play vs. the Packers on Sunday. His target projection gets a boost if WR Chase Claypool sits with his hamstring injury.

Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (ribs) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. Dealing with bruised ribs, JuJu figures to play vs. the Packers this weekend. But check back tomorrow for another update.

Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (ribs) did not practice on Wednesday. Smith-Schuster is considered "day to day" with bruised ribs but shouldn't be considered a lock to play vs. the Packers this weekend. We'll get another update on his status tomorrow.

Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster has been diagnosed with bruised ribs and is considered "day to day," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. We'll keep an eye on Smith-Schuster's practice participation this week, but it sounds like he has a chance to play vs. the Packers on Sunday.

Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster was knocked out of Sunday's game vs. the Bengals with a rib injury. We'll update his status when we know more.

Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bengals after missing practice all week. We still don't have any details on his injury, but this looks like a potential multi-game absence. The loss of Johnson will elevate James Washington to Pittsburgh's #3 WR spot -- and leave behind lots of opportunity for WRs JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chase Claypool.

Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (knee) missed practice again on Thursday. He's unlikely to play vs. the Bengals this weekend. That'd elevate WR James Washington into the starting lineup and mean more targets for WRs Chase Claypool and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster reportedly lobbied new OC Matt Canada this off-season to give him more opportunities outside. So far, though, it looks like the wideout remains stuck in the slot. Mark Kaboly of The Athletic writes, “There has been limited-to-no outside work by Smith-Schuster since pads have gone on, except for individual goal-line work.” It’s still early, of course, meaning there’s still plenty of time for Pittsburgh to move Smith-Schuster around. But it appears we should anticipate a role similar to last year’s. That meant lots of receptions in the exceedingly pass-heavy offense but a very low ADOT