Over the weekend, the Steelers placed Troy Fautanu on injured reserve. That move guaranteed the first-round rookie would miss at least four games, but a subsequent report indicated a season-long absence could be in store. 
Indeed, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Fautanu will undergo surgery on his dislocated kneecap. He will miss the remainder of the regular season as a result, leaving Pittsburgh with a vacancy along the O-line. Rapoport adds Fautanu could be back in time for the playoffs, but this news represents a notable blow to the team’s offense.
Just as they did in 2023, the Steelers used their top pick on an offensive tackle during the first round of April’s draft. Fautanu spent time at left tackle during his Washington tenure, and some teams viewed him as a guard. Pittsburgh saw the former Huskie as a tackle, however, and rated him higher as a prospect than 2023 first-rounder Broderick Jones. It thus came as no surprise Fautanu started at right tackle during his regular season debut (Week 2).
His knee injury occurred in practice leading up to Sunday’s win, leaving Pittsburgh in need of a change up front. Jones took over at the RT spot, one in which he struggled during Week 2 with three penalties. The Georgia product is set for another long-term stint at the position due to Fautanu’s injury, though, after he primarily played on the right side during his rookie year. Pending free agent Dan Moore Jr. will remain in the startling lineup along the blindside.
Even before the Fautanu ailment, injuries along the offensive line were an issue early in the year for Pittsburgh. Center Nate Herbig‘s torn rotator cuff is expected to keep him out for most (if not all) of the campaign, thrusting second-round rookie Zach Frazier into a starting role. Guard Isaac Seumalo has yet to play this year while he rehabs a pectoral injury, leading to further inexperience along the interior.
The Steelers were among the teams which designated two players for return from IR before the roster cut deadline. That move leaves the team with six activations for the regular season, although that figure will not come into play with Fautanu out of the picture until the playoffs. Teams will receive an additional two IR activations during the postseason, so the 23-year-old could still be in the fold down the road. In the meantime, Pittsburgh could be in the market for offensive tackle depth.
Pittsburgh sports media has devolved so thoroughly over the years, it’s remarkable.
Heard a few minutes of radio this morning after Steelers went to 3-0 after beating a 2-0 team led by Justin Fields, who just became only the 3rd Steeler QB to ever win 3 straight games with a 95 or better QB rating…
Listened to Tim Benz whine that the Steeler offense didn’t produce as many points as Dallas. K. Wanna trade places with them? A dunce’s dunce.
Then, as has been the case all summer, had to listen to Mike Prisuta gush over Russel Wilson and how he needs to go back in as the starter in a way that convinces me Prisuta would gladly bear Russ’s offspring. “He says all the right things.” K. That’s what matters.
Sure, yank the winning guy who is younger with more upside because we don’t want to hurt a journeyman backup’s feelings.
Good thing the media doesn’t run the team. I think Fields will be the Steelers qb for the next 5-8 years. He, and the offense as a whole, haven’t been explosive at all but it’s been efficient and shown flashes for potential growth. Most promising is that the main concerns or criticism about Fields coming into the season namely accuracy, decision making and turnovers have all been virtually nonexistent so far. He’s going through his progressions, if things aren’t open he is hitting his checkdowns early enough to use them instead of having to or wanting to take off running immediately, and he’s been making some really good throws too. Always room for improvement but Fields is looking like he should be the guy to me.
Nice to see Calvin Austin have a great game yesterday too. Doesn’t have to be the same guy every week but the offense needs production from wideouts or TE’s other than Pickens to keep defenses honest.
66…don’t you know that Pittsburgh sports talk radio ..is well .all talk. People like Benz,Prisuta, are all windbag idiots, giving their idiotic views of the Steelers and other local sports teams. Points of view are great, but when the listener knows they are idiotic is one thing, but when these two and others know their own points are idiotic, then you know talk radio is garbage. Just listen to the morons on 93.7 lol
Do one of the teams in dire need of a QB have a decent tackle to trade to the Steelers along with a draft pick for Russ? Seems like a good time to make that move.
Are you OK with having Kyle Allen as a top backup? Because I’m not. Unless Russell becomes a distraction (possible), or the Steelers bring back a better #2 than Allen in a trade, I’m not doing anything yet. You’re 3-0, I say don’t rock the boat.
Allen is serviceable and Russ won’t want to be a backup til an injury makes him the starter. He’s cheap, has a (aging) pedigree as a winner and valuable as a trade chip to a team needing a starter where he can play now.
Tough break for Fautanu. Hopefully Broderick cleans up some technique issues and inconsistencies as the season goes along. Dan Moore seemingly has to do this every year being the 3rd swing tackle that ends up starting half a season or more so I’m not worried about him. Real problem is the only depth left for the line is Mason McCormick who the Steelers surely drafted with intention to have him sit and learn this year then compete for the starting gig next season after Daniels leaves in free agency.