It was anticipated that the Pittsburgh Steelers would return from their Week 6 bye a fully healthy team (save Cam Heyward), but Pat Freiermuth‘s hamstring had other plans.
The team placed the veteran tight end on injured reserve Saturday. He’ll be sidelined for the next four games and could return for Pittsburgh’s critical road brawl with the Cleveland Browns in Week 11.
The news is huge for the offense, as Freiermuth was responsible for half of the team’s offensive scores.
We haven’t heard a peep out of Connor Heyward in all season, and this could be his moment. It was once thought he’d have a breakout 2023, but with Matt Canada asleep at the wheel, it’s no surprise he hasn’t. If Canada can devise a way to fit him into the fold — and that’s a BIG if — it could lead to an increased workload for the second-year Swiss army knife.
Darnell Washington is another weapon that’s been vastly underused. Could just chalk that up to being a rookie, but his 6-foot-7 size calls for getting him some looks. Through five games, he has one reception for 10 yards. That needs to change.
