The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense is already shorthanded in the passing game, missing the suspended DK Metcalf and the injured Calvin Austin III, leaving Aaron Rodgers to lean on his tight ends and newest receivers, such as Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, against the Cleveland Browns.
Unfortunately, the Steelers’ receiving options took another hit in the first half of the Week 17 contest, as tight end Darnell Washington left the game with a forearm injury. Washington caught two passes for 15 yards early in the game, but as he trucked forward after his second reception, he came up favoring his left forearm.
Washington didn’t immediately leave the game, staying in for another snap. He later left the game, taking trips to the blue medical tent and locker room. Washington was initially listed as questionable to return due to the injury, but was later ruled out before the end of the second quarter.
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At the time of Washington’s injury, the Steelers had yet to complete a pass to a wide receiver. Washington himself was the leading receiver, too.
Of course, on a cold, rainy day where the Steelers are also trying to keep Myles Garrett from breaking the NFL’s single-season sack record, Pittsburgh has tried to lean on its ground game early. So far, that’s been hit or miss in the first half, but without Washington in the lineup, that job only gets harder.
While Washington has grown his stardom in his third season with more contributions in the passing game, his importance as a blocker has been apparent since he was drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Steelers utilize several different heavy packages, and most include Washington as an in-line blocker. Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Connor Heyward are integral pieces at the same position, but none match Washington’s quality as a blocker.
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The Steelers certainly have to hope that Washington’s injury isn’t serious, though the downgrade in his status isn’t comforting. Pittsburgh’s shorthanded offense will have to make do without him for the remainder of this contest, nonetheless.
We’ll continue to monitor Washington’s status as more information becomes available after the game.