It seemed like a case of tight end overkill when the Pittsburgh Steelers opened the season with four tight ends on the 53-man roster. In retrospect, it looks like a good idea.
The Steelers (9-7) will be without tight end Darnell Washington for Sunday night’s crucial regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens (8-8) with the AFC North title at stake at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers must win or tie to reach the playoffs. Otherwise, their season will be over.
Washington sustained a broken arm in last week’s loss to the Cleveland Browns and underwent surgery. His status is uncertain if the Steelers qualify for the playoffs. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is confident that the Steelers’ offense can still be productive without Washington.
“We use a lot of tight ends,” Tomlin said. “We also use guys at the tight end position that don’t play tight end, (guard) Spencer Anderson. We have a lot of options at our disposal relative to that from a strategy perspective. And given six or seven days to prepare, I don’t think it will be a strategic issue in terms of replacing his efforts.”
Washington is having the best season of his three-year career. His 31 receptions and 364 receiving yards are both career bests, and he has also caught one touchdown pass. Washington is considered a good blocker and has played more snaps this season than any other Steelers tight end.
Pat Freiermuth’s 38 receptions, 435 receiving yards, and four touchdowns are tops among the team’s tight ends. On a day when the Steelers’ passing game was dismal – Aaron Rodgers threw for just 168 yards against the Browns -- Freiermuth was the Steelers' leading receiver with three catches for 53 yards.
Jonnu Smith has 37 receptions for 220 yards and two TDs. Connor Heyward, who doubles as a fullback, has two catches for 18 yards and a score.
Freiermuth called the offense’s performance against the Browns “not acceptable” and knows it will have to play better against the Ravens if the Steelers are to keep their season alive.
"Execution, everyone on the same page and just following each other and the game plan," Freiermuth said of the key to success this week. "It was just a bad performance. We're just focused on trying to beat Baltimore this week. "We're all looking forward to the opportunity on Sunday night. It's a big one, obviously, and we can't feel sorry for ourselves. Whatever it takes."