Smith-Schuster returns for playoffs
After two days of practice, the Steelers are bringing back wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to the active roster, almost exactly three months from what he thought was a season-ending shoulder injury. The team announced the move Saturday afternoon, shortly after Smith-Schuster tweeted that he gets “another chance to takethe field with this team.”
Smith-Schuster had been on injured reserve since the week after a win against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 10. But the Steelers opened his 21-day practice window Thursday, and Smith-Schuster’s recovery from surgery has gone so well that he’ll be able to play Sunday night in KansasCity.
“God answered my prayers & I’ve recovered from my season-ending shoulder injury earlier than expected. I can’t believe I get another chance to take the field with this team and play in a playoff game to keep our season alive,” Smith-Schusterposted on Twitter.
Before the injury, which happened early in that Week 5 game, Smith-Schuster had just 15 receptions for 129 yardsand no touchdowns.
This could also be the final game with the Steelers for Smith-Schuster, who will be a free agent in March. To make room for Smith-Schuster on the roster, the Steelers released punter Corliss Waitman. Rookie Pressley Harvin III is averaging 42.6 yards per punt in his rookie season, second-to-lastin the NFL.
Also, one day after listing him as questionable to face the Chiefs, the Steelers cleared up the status of running back Najee Harris: He’s playing. Harris was removed from the injury report Saturday afternoon and will play through the elbow issue that limited him last week in Baltimore. An awkward hit on the third play knocked out Harris until the third quarter, and he had to play through it all the way into overtime.
Texans
Houstonannounced it interviewed former Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward for its open coaching position. The Texans, who fired David Culley after a 4-13 season, also interviewed Chargers offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and former Dolphins coach Brian Flores. Ward is currently the widereceiverscoachatFlorida Atlantic. He was an offensive assistant for the Jets in 2019 and their wide receivers coach in 2020. Ward’s playing career ended in 2011 after 14 seasons, allwith the Steelers.
Vikings
Minnesota began the search for a new coach by seeking interviews with an initial slate of seven candidates, including Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. A source told The Associated Press that the Vikings also asked to interview Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans and Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. With the rival Packers on a first-round bye for the playoffs, Hackett is allowed to talk to teams this weekend.