PITTSBURGH - What seemed impractical in October is a reality in January. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was activated from injured reserve on Saturday after what was thought to be a season-ending shoulder injury against the Denver Broncos in Week 5.
Smith-Schuster is expected to play against the Kansas City Chiefs in a wild-card matchup on Sunday night.
Trailing Nazi Harris (elbow) - previously listed as a suspect - was also dropped from the Steelers' injury report and is expected to play on Sunday.
"God has answered my prayers [and] I have recovered from my season-end shoulder injury earlier than expected," Smith-Shuster tweeted Saturday afternoon. "I can't believe I'll get another chance to take the field with this team and play in a playoff game to survive my season."
Although he is available to play, Smith-Schuster may have fewer. Still, his addition is a boost for the Steelers.
"He had a pretty serious injury," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger told the DVE Morning Show on Friday morning at 102.5 WDVE. "The way juju plays the game is physical. We all know it. We all love it. He can escalate this offense. Even if it's just some of the plays, the energy, the encouragement he brings over the edge. So. Anything, take out one of your people will be too big for us."
Smith-Schuster, 25, had shoulder surgery following an injury and has been out for the past 14 weeks. He was designated to return from the Indian Railways on Thursday and practiced with the team on Thursday and Friday.
"To me, it looked like he was ready," fellow wide receiver Dionte Johnson said this week. "He has to get himself back into things, but he looked comfortable today.
"Great hands, natural catcher. Big hands, strong guy. Seeing him run around, show he's still juju at the end of the day. It's exciting."
Smith-Schuster, who is set to become a free agent after the season, returned to the Steelers on a one-year deal in free agency, but an early injury limited his influence this season. In five matches, he took only 15 catches for 129 yards. Ever since Smith-Schuster went out, Ray-Ray McCloud has played his role as slot receiver, taking 39 catches for 277 yards.
"He brings back the positive energy that he always had, which he always brings," Johnson said. "You want to bring back a guy like that who football is all about, all his teammates. Just doing everything for the team. He's also a person. When he's around There's never a dull moment."