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PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are seeing positive developments with several injured players, but they will still be without a key contributor for at least one more week. Head coach Mike McCarthy offered an encouraging update on players on Injured Reserve, suggesting that reinforcements could arrive sooner rather than later. However, the team must continue to rely on depth to fill out the active roster, and injuries have affected both offense and defense.
Wide receiver and special teams ace Ben Skowronek has flown under the radar among the injured players. The 2025 Pro Bowler has missed two straight games, but he returned to practice on a limited basis during Week 8 preparations. Nevertheless, he is not yet ready to return to game action. The Steelers' release of their inactive list for Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns made Skowronek's third consecutive absence official.
Special Teams Need Skowronek's Presence
One area the Steelers must improve for the remainder of the season is special teams across the board. Veteran kicker Chris Boswell endured a tough early stretch but has settled in as the season has progressed. Punter Cameron Johnston has been rock-solid, but the other units have struggled to find consistency. That is where Skowronek's absence is felt most. He earned Pro Bowl honors last season as a gunner on the punt team, demonstrating his versatility in those situations. The team has discovered an impressive new gunner in safety Robert Spears-Jennings, but they still need Skowronek's presence to elevate the special teams group from a concern to a strength. This need is especially urgent after Brandin Echols and Doneiko Slaughter were previously ruled out of the Week 8 contest with injuries, leaving the special teams unit in desperate need of upgrades.
Johnson's Opportunity
This will be the third game that Johnson has been elevated to the active roster from the practice squad. For that reason alone, this is a very important game for Johnson personally. After this, the Steelers will either have to release him or sign him to a one-year contract that guarantees his spot on the active roster for the foreseeable future. However, Johnson hasn't shown much aside from lining up in special teams situations. In two games so far, he has produced zero catches or plays on offense. The big-bodied receiver brings size and experience, which is undisputed, but he hasn't done much to move the needle on offense. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is still searching for depth options he can rely on. Johnson gets that shot, alongside fellow journeyman receiver Brandon Smith. Smith produced his first two NFL catches in Week 7, and the Steelers would love to get some offensive impact from another unexpected source. In order for him to get that chance, he'll need to see the field just a bit more. According to data from Pro Football Reference, he's played in just 11 offensive snaps over the past two weeks.