Despite JuJu Smith-Schuster out for the season and the Steelers throwing the ball 40 times in Sunday’s win over the Seahawks, James Washington played just eight snaps. Targeted just once, he had one reception for nine yards. Coming off a groin injury, the snap count implied that Washington wasn’t 100%. But Mike Tomlin said Tuesday Washington was fully healthy and his limited participation was related to matchups, not injury.
“It’s just matchup related,” Tomlin said about Washington’s eight snaps.
All eight of Washington’s snaps came within the first 21 minutes of play. Six of them came in the first quarter among the team’s first 15 plays, suggesting he was part of the team’s gameplan and opening script.