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.
Here are four things his injury could mean for the Pittsburgh Steelers going forward.
Increased workload for Connor Heyward
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.
A better look at rookie Darnell Washington
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.
Crowning a new red zone threat
For as little scoring as the Pittsburgh Steelers have done so far this year, Pat Freiermuth was a big part of it — responsible for two of their four offensive touchdowns. Aside from George Pickens, they’ll need to get another player the ball when it counts the most. With Diontae Johnson’s return and his itching to find paydirt for the first time since 2021, it could be him.
Back to the drawing board for Matt Canada
All of the above means it’s back to the drawing board for Matt Canada. Freiermuth was a legit red zone threat, so he’ll need to devise a plan to inject different guys into that area of the field.
Pat Freiermuth's potential contract extension hangs in the balance
Freiermuth enters the final year of his rookie deal in 2024, historically the year that the Steelers offer contract extensions to keep them from hitting free agency. The injury and his history of them puts both parties in a pickle. An extension could still be in the cards, but the money probably won’t be what he’s looking for.
