Steelers lose Smith-Schuster to Week 14 suspension

Adam Schefter reported that Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has been suspended for one game for his block on Cincinnati Bengals’ linebacker Vontaze Burfict Monday night. After his appeal was denied, he will miss the team’s upcoming matchup against the division rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 14.
The youngest player in the NFL, Smith-Schuster has the third-highest passer rating when targeted, 127.5, in the league among wide receivers. Ben Roethlisberger has thrown five touchdowns and only one interception when targeting the rookie.
The former USC Trojan leads all rookie receivers in deep (20-plus yards) receiving yards with 213, and receiving yards from the slot with 407 this season. He could be the first rookie wide receiver to lead in both categories since Dwayne Bowe in 2007.
With Jimmy Smith‘s season ending due to an Achilles injury, rookie Marlon Humphrey will be thrust into a bigger role against Pittsburgh. Even though Smith’s loss is big, as he’s only allowed a passer rating of 49.2 in coverage, Humphrey has done well in his limited snaps allowing a passer rating of 52.3 himself this season.