JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Conner, Diontae Johnson all names to watch heading into Week 12

Week 11 Thursday Night Football was a rough night for all parties involved, but the Pittsburgh Steelers injury report was particularly notable. Wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson suffered concussions on helmet-to-helmet hits, and running back James Conner aggravated his shoulder injury.

Conner went to the locker room in the second quarter after six touches and did not return to the game. He had missed two games with a separated shoulder and told Erin Andrews before the game that he was not 100 percent coming into TNF. Jaylen Samuels and Trey Edmunds replaced him at running back.

Shortly after Conner was injured, Smith-Schuster took what looked like multiple helmet-to-helmet hits. He left the game and went to the locker room where he was ruled out. That was followed later in the game by Johnson suffering his concussion on an illegal hit by Damarious Randall. Johnson was carted to the back and ruled out, while Randall was ejected from the game. By the end of the game, the Steelers wide receiver corps consisted of James Washington, Johnny Holton, and Tevin Jones.

Fantasy football analysis: Steelers injuries

Pittsburgh has extra time off after TNF, and will next face the Cincinnati Bengals a week from Sunday. That gives players some extra time to get ready, but all three players could be looking at some missed time. The Steelers likely won’t return to practice until Monday, and their next official practice participation report is not due until Wednesday.

If Conner misses time, Jaylen Samuels will return to the starting lineup and Trey Edmunds will get some work as well. If Smith-Schuster and/or Johnson miss time, look for the Steelers to sign a receiver to provide some depth to the unit.