Steelers WR Diontae Johnson Downplays Lack of Effort
PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson had headlines circulating him coming into the team's Week 12 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. Then, he caught fire on social media, and to those watching at home, after a lack of effort play went viral that nearly cost the Steelers.
Johnson and All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick reportedly got into a heated argument following the Steelers' Week 11 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Things got bad enough that the two needed to be separated, and, according to the report, it led to the eventual firing of Matt Canada.
Then, Johnson made matters worse, at least in the eyes of fans, by giving zero effort on a play that Jaylen Warren fumbled on. In the replay, the ball lands right next to Johnson, but he makes no attempt to go after it and instead starts walking away.
Johnson was asked about the fumble after the game, admitting he didn't see what was going on.
"I didn’t see it," Johnson told reporters. "I was just doing what I was doing — blocking or whatever."
The play came directly after a pass to Johnson in the endzone was called incomplete. The pass was probably completed, which would have resulted in a touchdown, due to Johnson getting three feet in bounds before hitting the ground and losing the ball.
The next play, the fumble happened, which may have only made the situation look worse.
"It is what it is," Johnson said. "I had three feet in ... but I’ve just got to hold on to the ball."
The wideout finished the game with four receptions for 50 yards, and will look to build off a solid offensive performance under new offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner and play-caller Mike Sullivan.
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