Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson has taken responsibility for his lack of effort in recovering a fumble during Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Addressing the situation with his teammates, Johnson expressed remorse and vowed that such a lackadaisical approach would not happen again.

The incident, which gained attention across the NFL world, occurred on a crucial play during the first quarter. With the Steelers in possession near the Bengals' 15-yard line, Johnson appeared indifferent to blocking Cincinnati cornerback DJ Turner. As the ball was stripped from running back Jaylen Warren's hands, Johnson's lack of urgency was evident as he walked away from the loose ball. Meanwhile, Turner swiftly picked it up and sprinted down the sideline.

Reflecting on the incident, Johnson admitted that the play did not represent who he is as a player. He acknowledged that it looked bad on film but reassured his teammates that he would strive to play smarter and more determined in the future. Emphasizing that the one play does not define him, Johnson vowed to continue playing to the whistle.

In addition to the fumble incident, Johnson's recent verbal altercation with teammate Minkah Fitzpatrick raised concerns. Following a heated moment of frustration after a loss to the Cleveland Browns, Johnson found himself in the spotlight once again. However, Coach Mike Tomlin stated that Johnson needed to address the situation personally with his teammates.

Johnson's teammates appeared understanding and forgiving. Center Mason Cole expressed trust in Johnson, believing that the incident was a mistake and that it would not be repeated. Quarterback Kenny Pickett echoed this sentiment, stating that the team had moved on, emphasizing his confidence in Johnson as a playmaker.

While Johnson explained that he did not see the fumble during the game and was focused on his blocking assignment, he admitted on Wednesday that he did not realize the play was still live. Expressing his desire to make amends, Johnson stated that if given the chance, he would have jumped on the loose ball.

Despite the incident, Johnson expects to start in the upcoming game. Coach Tomlin has not indicated any imminent disciplinary action, suggesting that Johnson's remorse and commitment to improvement were sufficient.

In a final statement, Johnson acknowledged his human nature and fallibility, stressing that mistakes happen. He emphasized his determination to make plays and stated that he would do his best to keep trying.

As the Steelers move forward, it remains to be seen whether Johnson's actions on the field will match his words. The team will undoubtedly be watching closely as they strive for success in the remainder of the season.

Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Chris by email at cadamski@triblive.com or via Twitter.