Former Steelers WR Attempting Comeback After Injury
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers could use some wide receiver help after Calvin Austin III suffered a shoulder injury, leaving his availability in question for the coming weeks. If they're looking to go back to a player who performed well during their preseason campaign, they may have an option, as Brandon Johnson is beginning his comeback from a gruesome injury.
Johnson was set to likely make the Steelers practice squad this season, being just on the outside looking in of the active roster. The veteran returned after a stunt on the team last year and had moments during the preseason where he shined.
Johnson's Injury
However, tragedy struck during the team's final preseason game when Johnson suffered an ankle/foot injury that ended his time with the Steelers. The former Denver Broncos wideout was building traction in Pittsburgh, but was last seen in Pittsburgh walking with a boot on his foot and was released after being waived with an injury settlement just shortly after the final roster cuts.
At 27 years old, Johnson has played in 23 games with three starts and has caught 26 passes for 335 yards and five touchdowns.
He's also been a notable special teamer, being capable of returning kicks and punts and working on kick and punt coverage.
NFL Comeback
Johnson is attempting his comeback as the NFL enters Week 5 of the regular season. The wideout worked out for the New York Giants ahead of Week 5, marking the first time he's tried out for a team since the injury.
The workout likely means Johnson is near full health from his preseason injury and ready to contribute. It may be difficult for him to land on an active roster this season, but may be able to make his way onto a practice squad in the coming weeks as teams shift their rosters near the trade deadline.
The Steelers likely aren't looking for a practice squad option after signing Isaiah Hodgins earlier in the season. That could change if someone else gets hurt on top of Austin, but for now, they're pretty set on their rotation.
For Pittsburgh, it's about finding their third contributor behind Austin and DK Metcalf and trying to make something happen with their receiving core that includes Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek and Roman Wilson.
They've yet to revert to those on the practice squad, but if nothing changes with the production of their final three and Austin misses multiple weeks, that could change.
Red Sox Legend David Ortiz Savagely Trolls Yankees After ALDS Blowout
Few things can numb the pain of a playoff exit, but at least the Boston Red Sox are getting to watch their arch-rivals get curb-stomped.
Two days after eliminating the Red Sox in the Bronx, the New York Yankees traveled north for the first two games of the American League Division Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. But it seems as though their talents were left on this side of the border.
In Games 1 and 2, the Yankees got outscored 23-8, and it really wasn't that close. They trailed 12-0 on Sunday evening as Toronto laughed its way to a 2-0 series lead. One more loss, and the Yankees will join the Red Sox on vacation.
David Ortiz crushes Yankees on postgame show
Red Sox icon David Ortiz is famous for tormenting the Yankees in the batter's box, but he's also made a habit of laughing at their pain as an analyst for FOX Sports. And after the Blue Jays' second blowout in as many days, Ortiz made sure to drive home the Yankees' misery.
Responding to former Yankees great Derek Jeter saying New York's garbage-time rally on Sunday might have woken the bats up a bit, Ortiz dropped a downright hysterical bit of analysis about what it would take for New York to get back in the series.
"I love you so much, but the only chance the Yankees have is if you, Mo (Mariano Rivera), Andy (Pettitte), and A-Rod (Alex Rodriguez) come back and play," Ortiz said to Jeter and a cackling desk of co-hosts, including Rodriguez.
"Reggie Jackson, Babe Ruth, all of them," he continued. "Joe DiMaggio... Roger Maris..."
Losing to the Yankees in the playoffs for the first time in 22 years was a real blow to the ego for Red Sox fans, so this series has been quite cathartic so far, especially when Ortiz is there to rub salt in the wound.
It wouldn't be a great look in hindsight if the Yankees wind up coming back and sweeping the final three games of the series, but Toronto sure looks tough to beat right now. Game 3 will be on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, after which we'll see if Big Papi is dancing on the Yankees' postseason grave.
