JuJu Smith-Schuster enjoying Steelers’ success at the expense of individual glory

Smith-Schuster was a fantasy soccer darling in 2018 when led the Steelers with 111 receptions and 1,426 yards whereas additionally tying his profession excessive with seven landing catches. The Steelers, although, missed the playoffs.

In 2019, his first with out Antonio Brown drawing double protection, Smith-Schuster struggled as the highest goal, significantly after Ben Roethlisberger was misplaced for the 12 months after enjoying simply six quarters. Smith-Schuster additionally had problem staying wholesome, sustaining a concussion and knee harm that restricted him to 12 video games.

His numbers dropped to 42 receptions for 552 yards and three scores. And, once more, the Steelers didn’t attain the postseason.

Smith-Schuster rebounded properly within the season opener this 12 months, catching six passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns in opposition to the New York Giants. He adopted it by catching seven passes, albeit for 48 yards, in opposition to the Denver Broncos.

Prior to now three video games, nonetheless, he has totaled 10 catches for 77 yards and one landing. For the season, he has 23 catches for 194 yards and three scores.

Smith-Schuster maintains his enthusiasm hasn’t waned whereas Chase Claypool, James Washington and Diontae Johnson have taken turns within the highlight.

“I’m having enjoyable on a regular basis whether or not I get the ball or not,” he mentioned. “Whether or not it’s two catches for 10 yards or six catches for 60 yards, it’s extra for the workforce and the ambiance.”

Based mostly on the landing celebrations he choreographed within the Steelers’ 38-7 victory in opposition to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Smith-Schuster didn’t appear to be bothered by catching a season-low two passes for six yards whereas Claypool and Washington mixed for eight catches, 142 yards and a landing.

“Soccer is the final word workforce recreation, and JuJu is a top quality instance of that,” Roethlisberger mentioned. “We now have plenty of guys which can be high quality examples of that. We shouldn’t let a couple of outliers globally by way of guys that aren’t good workforce gamers or the reporting of such occasions seize the headlines.

“Largely, we now have plenty of guys which can be high quality workforce gamers. They play and play to win.”

The Steelers are successful with out that singular menace the outlined the years when Brown was on the roster. Smith-Schuster’s modest 23 receptions tops a gaggle that features 5 different gamers with at the least a dozen catches. 5 gamers have exceeded 100 yards receiving for the season, led by Claypool’s 335. 5 gamers have caught landing passes.

Johnson is anticipated to return from a again harm that stored him out in opposition to Cleveland. That may give the Steelers 4 wholesome receivers and maybe reduce Smith-Schuster’s targets in opposition to the 5-0 Tennessee Titans.

“You by no means know when it’s going to be your time,” Smith-Schuster mentioned. “We all know each week we now have guys who’re able to go.”

With Claypool offering one other menace on the surface, Smith-Schuster has taken a career-high 73% of his snaps from the slot. It’s the third 12 months in a row that his enjoying time within the slot has elevated, from 51% as a rookie to 63% in 2019.

Whereas others are getting the deep routes, Smith-Schuster is doing the soiled work throughout the center, a motive he’s averaging 8.4 yards per catch, the fewest in his profession by 4 yards.

“Having JuJu within the slot permits the surface guys to do issues,” Claypool mentioned. “This previous recreation was an instance of what having weapons throughout the sector seems to be like. I used to be anticipating to get doubled sooner or later within the recreation with the protection excessive. I didn’t actually see that as a result of JuJu was on the opposite facet of the sector for lots of these performs.”

Joe Rutter is a Tribune-Evaluation workers author. You may contact Joe by e-mail at jrutter@triblive.com or by way of Twitter .