The Pittsburgh Steelers opened Week 2 with four names on Wednesday’s injury report, but Troy Fautanu’s ankle is the one worth watching. Fautanu and Darnell Washington did not practice, while Michael Pittman Jr. and Joey Porter Jr. were limited. For a team already testing its tackle depth, even a one-game absence could create problems at both tackle spots.
The biggest change belongs to Porter, who no longer carries an injury designation on the practice report. His Wednesday listing is strictly NIR/conditioning after a reported back issue kept him out of training camp and the preseason while he negotiated a new contract with Pittsburgh. Those timelines overlapped and invited speculation, but the official injury report now says the Steelers are managing his conditioning rather than treating an active injury.
Player | Position | Injury | Tues. | Wed. | Thurs. | Fri. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michael Pittman Jr. | WR | Foot | LP | |||
Joey Porter Jr. | CB | NIR/Conditioning | LP | |||
Troy Fautanu | OT | Ankle | DNP | |||
Darnell Washington | TE | NIR/Personal | DNP |
Mike McCarthy said Porter handled more work Wednesday after being inactive in the opener. That’s progress, not confirmation he will play Sunday. Pittsburgh’s secondary held up without him against Cooper Rush, and New England has already placed A.J. Brown on injured reserve. Still, Drake Maye can stress coverage and punish poor tackling in ways Rush could not.
Troy Fautanu’s ankle creates the Pittsburgh Steelers’ biggest Week 2 question
Fautanu’s absence deserves the closest attention because Pittsburgh has little room for another tackle problem. He exited late against Atlanta, and the emergency reshuffle moved Dylan Cook from right tackle to left while rookie Max Iheanachor entered on the right. One misstep can disturb both edges of Aaron Rodgers’ protection.
The Steelers also worked out veteran tackles Charlie Heck and Austin Deculus this week. The club hasn’t connected those visits to Fautanu’s injury, but the timing makes us wonder. Neither player is an instant fix, and signing one wouldn’t solve the larger problem of asking Cook and Iheanachor to cover two spots if Fautanu cannot go.
Pittman’s foot belongs in the monitor/don’t panic category. He gives Rodgers the sturdy intermediate target this offense needs opposite DK Metcalf. If Pittman’s workload slips as the week goes on, worry about Pittsburgh's unsettled WR3 rotation between Roman Wilson and Germie Bernard.
Washington’s personal absence is common for any player. Assuming he returns, his blocking and receiving role gives Pittsburgh help beside whichever tackles play. Friday’s final report will bring game designations, but Thursday should tell us more. Porter doing more would be encouraging. Fautanu doing anything would be the better news.
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