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Pittsburgh Steelers WR JuJu Smith – Schuster Out for Season with Shoulder Injury
Introduction
On Sunday, October 10th, 2021 the Pittsburgh Steelers’ most reliable and explosive 4 – year veteran of the NFL, JuJu Smith – Shuster, seriously dislocated his shoulder during the Pittsburgh Steelers week 5 match – up against the Denver Broncos. The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Denver Broncos on the Steelers home turf in this AFC battle with a final score of 27 to 19 from Heinz Field located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Smith – Schuster only had 2 carries for 6 rushing yards as well as 0 receptions for 0 receiving yards on only 1 target before having to leave the ball game during the second quarter of action in extreme pain following the play in which JuJu’s shoulder was violently popped out of its socket. Smith – Schuster was advised to skip the blue side – line injury tent, and he was sent directly to the Steelers’ locker room for immediate evaluations from the Pittsburgh Steelers medical staff.
The Injury
Last Sunday, JuJu, who signed a 1 - year deal to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2021 free agency period, lowered his right shoulder and took an extremely hard as well as low hit from the Denver Broncos’ safety, Kareem Jackson, on a jet sweep play midway through the 2nd quarter of Sunday's 27 to 19 victory over the Denver Broncos.
JuJu got up very slowly and he was quickly helped off of the field by the Pittsburgh Steelers medical team, who the strong wide receiver him off of the gridiron while Smith - Shuster seemed to be in ever – lasting excruciating pain. After a brief look at his right shoulder on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ side - line, JuJu instantaneously went on his own in to the Steelers locker room. He went to the local hospital for additional evaluations according to the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin.
Smith - Schuster ranks 4th on the Pittsburgh Steelers in overall targets this year for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and in total receptions behind only the lonely rookie Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, and Chase Claypool. Throughout his short 4 – year veteran NFL career, Smith - Shuster has been a more than reliable third - down sharp weapon for the Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. JuJu has earned himself one hell of a reputation for being a gritty player as well as one tough son of a bitch spread out wide each and every Sunday for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The 24 - year - old wide receiver of the Pittsburgh Steelers has a total of 323 NFL receptions good for 3,855 receiving yards and 26 touchdown receptions throughout the 63 games that he has played in over his five - seasons of football action in the National Football League. After a nine - touchdown 2020 – 2021 NFL season, Smith - Schuster has only 1 rushing score during this season. The most recent shoulder injury is the second in - game injury that the wide – out has sustained during this 2021 – 2022 NFL season. Previously, against the Las Vegas Raiders, JuJu sustained a rib injury that limited him, though it didn't cause him to miss a formal match – up.
Media Statements
"It's tough seeing him in that type of pain, and that's for anybody on the field, it's tough seeing somebody get hurt that's a key player to the offense," the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson explained to the media last Monday. "Just got to rally around him and just be there for him off the field."
"Injuries are going to happen," Johnson goes on to say. "And its next man up, so Ray - Ray's gotta step up, and that's how it's always been -- one person goes down, somebody got to step in, and everybody is capable of [contributing to the offense]. We are still going to go out there and play for JuJu. We still go out there and do our thing Sundays and get ready, for this week, too."
JuJu Smith – Schuster’s Football Career Achievements, Honors, and Awards
The highly talented wide receiver was selected to the NFL Pro Bowl in 2018, he was named to the PFWA All - Rookie Team in 2017, he was named to the First - Team All - Pac - 12 in 2015, and JuJu was named to the Second - Team All - Pac - 12 back in 2016.
NFL Records
- First player in NFL history to score five touchdowns before his 21st birthday.
- Youngest player to record at least 150 receiving yards in a single game.
- First player to have two offensive touchdowns of at least 97 yards.
- Youngest receiver with 1,500 receiving yards.
- Youngest receiver with 2,500 receiving yards.
Pittsburgh Steelers Franchise Records
- Longest touchdown reception in franchise history (97 yards).
- Youngest receiver to record over 1,000 receiving yards in a season (2018).
- Fewest games needed to reach 1,500 career receiving yards (21).
Sources:
“Pittsburgh Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster to have surgery, expected to miss four months, source says”, Brooke Pryor, espn.com, October 11, 2021.
“JuJu Smith – Schuster”, pro-football-reference.com, October 11, 2021.