Smith-Schuster due to face Cincinnati

The Steelers are getting their JuJu back.

JuJu Smith-Schuster went through a full practice for the second consecutive day Thursday and should return to the lineup in Cincinnati for the Monday night game against the Bengals.

His quarterback will be happy to see him there.

“He’s a guy who brings a different dynamic,” Ben Roethlisberger said. “He’s smart, can be physical and makes plays for us. He’s just another weapon.”

The rookie receiver missed his first game of the season Sunday against the Green Bay Packers because of a hamstring injury. Smith-Schuster is second among Steelers wide receivers with 33 receptions for 568 yards and five touchdowns.

He leads all rookie receivers in yards and is first among wide receivers in receptions, although Kansas City halfback Kareem Hunt has three more.

His production has increased as the season progressed.

He set a Steelers record with his 97-yard touchdown catch at Detroit Oct. 27, when he had seven receptions for 193 yards. He followed that with five catches for 97 yards at Indianapolis and then four for 47 yards against Tennessee in his most recent game.

“You see guys get better because they get reps and stuff,” Roethlisberger said. “You see guys take steps and then you see guys take leaps and bounds, and that’s what I see from him.”

Those leaps have come in part as Roethlisberger gained trust in the rookie.

“Oh, yeah, because when you trust someone to do what they’re supposed to do, you can anticipate throws,” the quarterback said.

“You trust that they’re going to be where they’re supposed to be. And trust is a huge thing when it comes to a quarterback and wide receiver.

“I have to trust he’s going to be where he’s supposed to be, not second-guessing, not knowing what he’s doing.

“And to me that’s one of the biggest reasons he’s having success, is that he’s where he’s supposed to be and I trust him.” Steelers rookie wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster practiced this week and is expected to play Monday night.