Steelers expected to put JuJu Smith-Schuster on Injured Reserve

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a banged up team, and it the hits just keep coming. Already without James Washington (groin), they lost JuJu Smith-Schuster to a gruesome shoulder injury vs. the Denver Broncos Sunday at Heinz Field.

After the game Mike Tomlin told of Smith-Schuster being evaluated not in-house, but at a local hospital. As one can imagine, this means the shoulder injury was certainly on the severe end.

Monday morning, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the Steelers are preparing to put Smith-Schuster on Injured Reserve (IR) and fear the team could be without him for a lengthy period of time, maybe even the rest of the season.

When it comes to the team’s 53-man roster, putting Smith-Schuster on IR could be paired with the return of Zach Banner (knee) or Anthony McFarland (unknown) off of IR to the active roster.

The injury to Smith-Schuster, and being placed on IR, means he could be available to return in as soon as three weeks, but if the injury is as severe as it appears at this time, that might seem extremely generous.

If there is a position the Steelers can withstand an injury like this, it would be at wide receiver, and the hope is Washington will return and the offense won’t miss a beat.

Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6.