Gunner Olszewski, Armon Watts among active players for Steelers' game vs. Browns
With wide receiver Diontae Johnson heading to injured reserve Monday, the Pittsburgh Steelers are turning to Gunner Olszewski as their No. 5 wide receiver for their game against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium.
Olszewski also likely will serve as the kickoff returner to replace Anthony McFarland, who also was placed on injured reserve Monday.
With Olszewski getting a helmet, newly promoted wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick was among the players the Steelers declared inactive. The others were tackle Dylan Cook and cornerback Desmond King. Mason Rudolph will serve as the third quarterback.
Defensive lineman Armon Watts also is active after being a healthy scratch in Week 1 against San Francisco. He will be part of a defensive line rotation tasked with replacing captain Cameron Heyward, who was placed on injured reserve with a groin injury.
Also active for the Steelers is running back Qadree Ollison, who was promoted from the practice squad before the game. He will serve as the third running back behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.
For the Browns, wide receiver Amari Cooper is active despite aggravating a groin injury that put his availability in question. The inactive players for the Browns are cornerback Kahlef Hailassie, strong safety Ronnie Hickman, center Luke Wypler, defensive end Isaiah McGuire and defensive tackle Siaki Ika.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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