David

Johnson

Wallace will be guaranteed $2.7 million under the first-round tender. Along with Baltimore’s Lardarius Webb, he’s expected to test a restricted free agent market that hasn’t seen an NFL team successfully sign an offer sheet at the first-round level in a decade. The other five Steelers are believed to have been tendered at the lowest level available to the team.

Entering his fourth NFL year, Johnson has shuttled between backup tight end and starting lead blocker in Pittsburgh’s offense. He has yet to carry the ball in an NFL game, but does have 18 career receptions through three seasons.

Johnson was in line for lead-blocking duties in Todd Haley’s new offense. Undrafted West Virginia rookie Will Johnson is the only other fullback on the roster, so the Steelers will be forced to add another lead blocker next week. Johnson will go under the knife on August 15.

The injury looked serious on the field, and Johnson was immediately declared out for the rest of the game. A former tight end/H-back, Johnson had been moved to lead blocker full time in Todd Haley’s new offense. If Johnson’s injury is significant, the Steelers will have to scour the waiver wire for a lead blocker. They’ve seemed intent on implementing one this offseason.

It’s a sign that new OC Todd Haley plans to utilize the lead-blocker more than Bruce Arians did. Haley has also placed more emphasis on the running backs, especially in the passing game. Leonard Pope, who played under Haley in Kansas City and Arizona, believes the Steelers’ run/pass ratio will depend on matchups and game momentum.

He replaces FB/TE David Johnson, who was waived/injured in a corresponding move. Now 33, Peelle will look to latch on to the 53-man roster as a blocking specialist.

The tight end turned fullback missed all of 2012 with a torn ACL. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes he could shift back to tight end with Heath Miller recovering from a torn ACL of his own. A blocker, Johnson has just 18 catches in 47 career games.

Johnson isn’t ideally built for a tight end at 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds, but he could fill a Delanie Walker-type role with Heath Miller (torn ACL, MCL, PCL) out of the mix, primarily blocking and running the occasional pass route. The Steelers need to find a legit starter at the position. Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert would be an intriguing option if he’s available with the No. 17 overall pick.

Johnson is a blocker that can play some fullback. Sadly, the Steelers are in desperate need for his services. Heath Miller (knee) doesn’t appear close and Matt Spaeth (foot) is out 8-10 weeks. David Paulson is penciled in as the starter.

The Steelers chose not to leave Miller on the PUP list, confirming they expect him back sometime before Week 7. The Week 4 game in Minnesota is a possibility, although they do have a Week 5 bye. With Matt Spaeth (foot) also sidelined, David Johnson is expected to start Sunday’s opener against the Titans.