The Pittsburgh Steelers tight end David Johnson started training camp off on the Active PUP list because he needed a cleanup surgery performed on the knee he tore up last year during the preseason. As of Tuesday, it doesn\’t appears as though he is close to being able to practice.
“I should be back in a few weeks,” Johnson said, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “The rehab, everything, is going real good. I should be back real soon. Right now, I\’m just working as hard as I can to get back in and help everyone out.”
Johnson, who reportedly had the clean up procedure done on July 26, was initially expected to be sidelined for just a few weeks, but judging by his recent comments, it looks like he will be lucky to be ready by the time the Steelers face the Carolina Panthers in the preseason finale.
In order for Johnson to make the 53 man roster this year, he will likely have to beat out the recently acquired Michael Palmer, who the Steelers snatched off waivers after Matt Spaeth went down with a Lisfranc injury. Beyond that scenario, Johnson would need Heath Miller to remain on the PUP list to start the season and Spaeth to be placed on injured reserve in order to have a shot at making the team as a third tight end.
