Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu will miss the remainder of the regular season due to a significant knee injury, specifically a dislocated kneecap. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Fautanu requires surgery to repair the ligament damage sustained during a practice session on Friday. He has been placed on injured reserve as a result.
Rapoport noted that while Fautanu is sidelined for the rest of the regular season, there remains a possibility he could return for the playoffs if the Steelers qualify.
The injury occurred while Fautanu was engaged with another lineman, leading to a non-contact situation where his knee gave out. Prior to this incident, he had already missed three weeks with an MCL sprain that affected his performance during the preseason.
Fautanu made his NFL debut against the Denver Broncos, where he played 55 snaps. In that game, he demonstrated strong performance by allowing only two pressures on 29 pass-blocking attempts.
As a first-round draft pick from Washington, Fautanu was part of the Steelers’ strategy to revamp their offensive line by selecting two tackles in consecutive drafts. The team hoped to bolster their offensive protection and overall performance on the field.
His absence will be felt as the Steelers aim to maintain their momentum this season. The team will need to adjust its offensive line strategy in light of his significant loss.
Fans and analysts alike will be monitoring the Steelers’ progress and Fautanu’s recovery closely, especially as the playoffs approach. The team remains focused on making a strong playoff push, despite this setback in their roster.
Fautanu’s journey through recovery will be a key storyline for the Steelers in the coming weeks. The organization will be looking for updates on his surgical procedure and rehabilitation progress.
His potential return for the playoffs would be a significant boost for the Steelers, emphasizing the importance of depth in their roster as the season unfolds.