Despite some encouraging signs to the contrary earlier in the week James Conner Jersey , the depleted Pittsburgh Steelers offense won’t be getting its top wide receiver back for what is a crucial game this weekend.JuJu Smith-Schuster will not play when the Steelers host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night. The Steelers’ No. 1 wideout left Thursday’s practice early and did not participate in Friday’s session at all, ending hope he would avoid missing a fourth consecutive game because of a knee injury.“I mean, it’s tough,” Smith-Schuster said Friday, shortly before it was announced via the release of the official injury report that he was out for Sunday’s game. “I’ve never been in this situation like this where I have been out for a long period of time. It’s something that’s definitely new to me, and I am learning myself and how I react to it. It could be frustrating sometimes, but at the same time it’s part of life, it’s part of the game, it’s what comes with this.”Smith-Schuster has not played since being knocked out of a Nov. 14 loss at Cleveland when two Browns defensive backs delivered helmet-to-helmet hits to Smith-Schuster that also left him concussed.Though he was cleared from NFL concussion protocol Nov. 27, Smith-Schuster’s knee injury lingered longer than originally anticipated. Smith-Schuster had been wearing a bulky knee brace around the team facility over the past three weeks https://www.thesteelerslockerroom.com/authentic-terrell-edmunds-jersey , and he did not practice until this past Wednesday.But following full participation in that session, the three-year pro was limited Thursday and did not practice at all Friday.Smith-Schuster refused to refer to what happened Thursday as a “setback,” instead maintaining it had been determined he was pushing too hard to come back too soon.“He’s got all the enthusiasm and energy and effort and want to,” offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner said. “You know, sometimes injuries take their own time. You’ve just got to keep working through it.”Already down to a No. 3 quarterback in undrafted rookie Devlin Hodges and also without starting running back James Conner over the past three games, the Steelers (8-5) won all three to improve to 5-0 without Smith-Schuster. Picking up the slack at wide receiver in the interim have been James Washington and Diontae Johnson. The second-year player Washington had long touchdowns during wins at Cincinnati and at home vs. Cleveland; rookie Johnson had two touchdowns (one on a punt return) during last week’s win at Arizona.“They’ve been snapping out there this whole past month and just doing their job,” Smith-Schuster said. “It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come with the guys out there on the field.”The challenge continues Sunday against a Bills defense that ranks third in the NFL overall and against the pass. Pittsburgh's offense also will be missing No. 1 tight end Vance McDonald (concussion) and might still be without Conner, who is questionable because of a shoulder injury that has kept him out of five of the past six games.At least the Steelers will have No. 2 running back Jaylen Samuels; he had missed practice time because of a groin injury.“They want us to be able to win with whatever we’ve got there out on the field,” Washington said. “It's important that every (receiver) knows different positions, everyone knows what their role is for that week and know all the plays Womens Terrell Edmunds Jersey , and be able to help guys out and take advantage of opportunities that come your way." As I’ve stated before, my father was a wish man. He was a great teacher, even if I wasn't always an exemplary student. He believed happiness was a mindset. The ability to focus on the positive rather than the negative. The decision to count one's blessings instead of the daily struggles. He believed it was important to know your place in the world and be content therein. For me, that was always easier said than done.My dad was an exceptional valve mechanic. Customers would send him work from all parts of the country. He loved what he was doing for a living. He repeatedly turned down promotions, usually management positions that would have meant more money and prestige, to remain a valve mechanic. I was shocked when I learned he had turned down multiple opportunities for advancement, and I asked him why. He said "It wasn't worth the cost to me. I am happy and content where I am." I had just received another valuable lesson.Word out of Cleveland this week suggests the Browns are considering offering Mike Munchak an interview at season's end for their next head-coaching position. That’s understandable considering Munchak has proven to be an outstanding coach with an impressive pedigree. Furthermore he’s an upstanding human being who would bring character and credibility to any coaching staff. There are a couple of problems with this development, if accurate. The first issue is that the Steelers need Professor Munchak desperately. The Steelers actually won their last couple of Super Bowls in spite of their offensive lines. Ben Roethlisberger was often running for his life back then, and he took a pounding those early years. To be fair, the Steelers O-line always had a standout player or two through those years Terrell Edmunds Jersey White , but those lines were never considered elite by any stretch of the imagination. Munchak.Munchak routinely takes lemons and makes lemonade. He has two outstanding first-round talents at his disposal in Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro, but the rest of the line is mix-and-match. He regularly takes an undrafted piece of clay and carefully molds his next masterpiece. Matt Feiler's performance this past Sunday is the latest example of his work in action.Munchak is the rare exception to the rule — a great player who also turns out to be a great teacher. Usually great players prove incapable of finding a connection with their less-talented pupils. Munchak was an all-time great player, as evidenced by his Hall of Fame credentials. But he also excels at teaching blocking fundamentals to his group of eager students, and with exemplary results. His players love him and want to perform well for him. They sing his praises and acknowledge his impact on their development.The second issue I have with Munchak being considered for the Browns’ head-coaching position is that I feel it would be a terrible decision for Munchak and his family. Mike has already turned down at least one interview for a head-coaching position because he and his family are happy in Pittsburgh — his words, not mine.I have no idea if Munchak ever wants to be a head coach again. He’s the best offensive line coach in the business. But in his first opportunity as a head coach — not so much. All I know for sure is that the Steelers need him. He loves the Steelers and we love him right back.Remember that it’s better to be content and happy, and no matter the question, Cleveland is never the answer.