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Steelers' JuJu Smith-Schuster apologizes for late fumble vs. Saints

By The Sports Xchange
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) runs left to the sideline for a gain of 13 yards in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers on November 8 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) runs left to the sideline for a gain of 13 yards in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers on November 8 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo

Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster wrote an apologetic message on social media Monday, one day after his fumble ended the Pittsburgh Steelers' final offensive possession in a 31-28 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

"When I'm at my lowest, I'm not going to hide," Smith-Schuster wrote on Twitter. "I'm sorry. That loss was on me. I let everyone down, it won't happen again."

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Smith-Schuster recorded a strong performance prior to putting the ball on the turf, collecting 11 receptions for 115 yards.

With the Steelers (8-5-1) trailing by three points, the 22-year-old Smith-Schuster fumbled the ball as he was being brought down by Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins at New Orleans' 42-yard line with 41 seconds remaining. Saints linebacker Demario Davis recovered the loose ball to seal the win.

"[Smith-Schuster] has been great all year," Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown said. "He is the reason we are [productive]. In those situations, you just want to support him. It is kind of unfortunate, but he is a great player. We have all been through it before and it is something to learn from."

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The loss dropped the Steelers behind the first-place Baltimore Ravens (9-6) in the AFC North. Pittsburgh hosts the Cincinnati Bengals (6-9) on Sunday while the Cleveland Browns (7-7-1) visit Baltimore. Both games are slated to begin at 4:25 p.m. ET.

After a solid rookie campaign in which he posted 58 catches for 917 yards and seven touchdowns, Smith-Schuster has been an explosive weapon opposite Brown this season.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Smith-Schuster leads the Steelers in both catches (106) and receiving yards (1,389) to go along with six touchdown receptions. He has eight 100-yard games on the season, including four in the past six contests.

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