Steelers WR Diontae Johnson ruled out of 49ers game with hamstring injury

Pittsburgh’s offense has struggled against San Francisco with quarterback Kenny Pickett 19-for-32 with one touchdown and one interception so far on Sunday afternoon. His touchdown was a three-yard strike to tight end Pat Friermuth.

Johnson is in his fifth season in the NFL — having spent all of them with the Steelers. He’s hauled in 340 receptions for 3,646 yards and 20 touchdowns in 64 games (56 starts). Johnson paced all Steelers pass-catchers this past season in receptions (86) and yards (882). He notably hauled in zero touchdowns after bringing in eight the previous season.

The Steelers drafted Johnson with the No. 66 pick in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He signed a two-year extension after the 2022 season for $36 million.

Cam Heyward also out for Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward is also out for the remainder of the Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Heyward exited the game with a groin injury. Heyward spent time on the injury report this week before he cleared any injury designation.

He finished the 2022 season second on the Steelers with 10.5 sacks and led the team with 14 tackles for a loss. He amassed 74 tackles, 39 solo tackles, four pass deflections and a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

Heyward has 78.5 career sacks, the most by a Steelers’ defensive lineman since 1982, second-most by an active defensive tackle in the NFL, and second-most in team history and by a Steelers’ player since 1982.

The Steelers star also has six straight Pro Bowl appearances. Heyward was a first-round pick (No. 31 overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Ohio State.