Steelers Diontae Johnson fumble Bengals lack of effort

Steelers' Diontae Johnson in feud with teammates after showing no effort on fumble, reportedly got into heated argument with safety.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson has reportedly been involved in a feud with his teammates following the team's recent loss to the Cleveland Browns. The tension seems to have escalated after Johnson showed little effort in attempting to recover a fumble during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The incident occurred in the first quarter of the AFC North rivalry clash when Steelers running back Jaylen Warren lost a fumble. Johnson, who was in a position to make a play, appeared to show a lack of effort in attempting to recover the ball or make a tackle on Bengals corner D.J. Turner, who ultimately recovered the fumble. This lack of effort was evident as Johnson stood by while other players continued the play.

Following the turnover, Turner managed to run the ball back 28 yards before the Bengals ultimately had to punt the ball away. Just before this incident, Johnson had appeared to catch a touchdown, but the play was ruled incomplete, and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin did not challenge the ruling.

Prior to this, ESPN's Adam Schefter had reported that Johnson had been involved in a dispute with his teammates, particularly with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, following the team's loss to the Browns. The situation reportedly escalated until other players, including Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt, intervened to prevent further escalation.

According to reports, Johnson had already shown visible frustration on the sideline before the end of the game, leading to an incident where offensive tackle Broderick Jones had to separate him from a Steelers coach. When asked about the team's attitude, running back Najee Harris gave a non-committal response, indicating potential discord within the team.

As the Steelers prepared for their game against the Bengals, the situation involving Johnson and his teammates seemed to have been resolved. However, the incident has raised questions about the team's dynamics and the overall attitude of its players.

Johnson's performance has been a topic of discussion, as he ranks second on the team in receiving yards and third in receptions. However, his drop rate is a concern, as he is tied for 34th in the league in this category, according to Pro Football Focus.

The ongoing tension within the Steelers' locker room and the impact it may have on the team's performance are issues that the organization will need to address as they continue their season.

Share With Others