Diontae Johnson deals with cramps; Cam Heyward, Chuks Okorafor sit out practice

For the second day in a row, wide receiver Diontae Johnson was a limited participant in practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In addition to dealing with a shoulder injury, Johnson was bothered by cramps Thursday.

Miles Boykin said he had to take Johnson’s spot with the first-team offense when the Pro Bowl wide receiver left the field near the end of the workout.

“I didn’t see what happened, but I know he came back at the end of practice,” Boykin said.

Two starters did not practice, according to the team’s injury report. Defensive lineman Cameron Heyward was held out as a coach’s decision, and right tackle Chuks Okorafor didn’t practice because of a back problem. Inside linebacker Marcus Allen (hamstring) was a full participant after being limited Wednesday.

Newcomer Jesse Davis is listed as Okorafor’s backup at right tackle, the position he played last season in Miami. He was working at guard with the Minnesota Vikings before the Steelers acquired him for a conditional seventh-round drat pick. Trent Scott, who was cut and then re-signed to the 53-man roster, is the other tackle option.

The Steelers have one more practice before they face the Cincinnati Bengals in the season opener Sunday at Paycor Stadium.

Until that scare, Johnson was looking “pretty good,” according to rookie receiver George Pickens.

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“He always looks good,” Pickens said, smiling. “That’s going to be my answer 99% of the time.”

Coming off a season in which he set career highs with 107 catches, 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns, Johnson was rewarded with a three-year, $39.5 million contract. Then, he landed on his shoulder after making a 38-yard catch in the preseason finale against Seattle.

If Johnson is unable to play against the Bengals, it would mean an expanded role for Boykin and slot receivers Gunner Olszewski and Steven Sims.

“When you lose a guy like Diontae, if he’s not playing or practicing, we can’t look at it like one person can fill his shoes,” Boykin said. “There’s only one Diontae. It has to be by committee, and we all have to step up to fill the void that he leaves when he’s not playing.”

Before practice, offensive coordinator Matt Canada said the Steelers were expecting Johnson to be able to play against the Bengals.

“We’re counting him on being ready to go,” Canada said.