JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Conner leave Steelers-Browns game with injuries
CLEVELAND — The Pittsburgh Steelers lost four players to game-ending injuries in the first half Thursday night in their AFC North matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion), running back James Conner (shoulder), outside linebacker Ola Adeniyi (concussion) and cornerback Artie Burns (knee) left with injuries in the first half and did not return.
Adeniyi was injured on the opening kickoff. Burns also was injured on special teams.
Conner aggravated a shoulder injury that kept him out the previous two weeks. He had five carries for 10 yards and a 6-yard catch before departing.
Smith-Schuster suffered a concussion with 9 minutes, 8 seconds remaining in the half when he took a shot to the head from Denzel Ward on a pass over the middle. He had two catches for 21 yards before exiting.
Rookie wide receiver Diontae Johnson left midway through the third quarter after taking a helmet-to-helmet blow from Browns safety Damarious Randall, who was ejected from the game because of the late hit.
The Steelers trailed 14-0 entering the third quarter.
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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