The Steelers placed Washington (forearm) on IR on Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Washington suffered what coach Mike Tomlin revealed was a broken arm in the Steelers' Week 17 loss to the Browns, an injury that subsequently required surgery, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com. In Washington's absence, Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith are in line to lead Pittsburgh's TE corps, with Connor Heyward also on hand.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Gets surgery, likely out for season
Rotowire
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Washington underwent surgery Tuesday to address a broken forearm and won't be available for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Tomlin was reluctant to say whether Washington's surgery would keep him sidelined for a potential playoff run, but Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette relays that the Steelers aren't expecting the tight end back for the postseason even if Pittsburgh clinches the AFC North title with a victory over the Ravens. The Steelers appear set to head into Week 18 with Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward as their available options at tight end. Washington concludes his third NFL season with 31 catches for 364 yards and a touchdown on 43 targets over 16 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Suffers broken arm Sunday
Rotowire
Coach Mike Tomlin said that Washington suffered a broken arm during Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Browns, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, Tomlin said he didn't know if Washington will be out for the Steelers' regular-season finale against the Ravens, with the AFC North title on the line; however, it seems very likely that Washington will miss that contest, at a minimum. If so, Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith would pace Pittsburgh's TE corps in his absence.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Won't return Sunday
Rotowire
Washington (forearm) won't return to Sunday's game against the Browns, Burt Lauten of the Steelers' official site reports.
Washington thus finishes the contest with two catches for 15 yards. In his absence, Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward will handle Pittsburgh's tight-end duties Sunday.
Washington exited Sunday's game against the Browns with a forearm injury, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Before that, Washington caught both of his targets for 15 yards. While he's sidelined, Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward are available to handle the Steelers' Week 17 TE reps.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Cleared to play Monday
Rotowire
The Steelers announced Sunday that Washington cleared concussion protocol and no longer carries a designation for Monday's game against the Dolphins.
After logging three straight limited practice this week, Washington had initially been listed as questionable for the contest. Now that he's been cleared to play Monday, the tight end will be able to maintain his growing role in Pittsburgh's passing game. Over his last three games, Washington has reeled in five of his seven targets for 79 yards, though it's worth noting that Washington was forced out of the Week 14 win over the Ravens after logging just 15 snaps on offense.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Limited Thursday, still in protocol
Rotowire
Washington (concussion) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Washington remains in concussion protocol, which he entered after being concussed during this past Sunday's win over the Ravens. In order to clear the protocol and be eligible to suit up Monday against the Dolphins, Washington will need to upgrade to full participation by Saturday and gain clearance from an independent neurologist.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Won't return Sunday
Rotowire
Washington (concussion) won't return to Sunday's game against the Ravens. Burt Lauten of the Steelers' official site reports.
Washington, who caught his only target in the contest for 12 yards, will thus target a potential return to action Dec. 15 against the Dolphins. Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth and Connor Heyward are left to handle Pittsburgh's TE duties for the remainder of Week 14 action.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Records 45 yards
Rotowire
Washington recorded two receptions on four targets for 45 yards in Sunday's 26-7 loss to the Bills.
Washington's modest performance was good enough to lead the Steelers in receiving yards, and he finished tied for second on the team in targets. Those thresholds were more indicative of the poor offensive showing for the Steelers, though Washington continues to gain more of a role as a receiver. He has at least four targets in three of his last five games -- logging at least 40 receiving yards in all three -- after hitting that mark only twice in his first eight contests.
Washington (foot) practiced fully Thursday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Washington didn't practice Wednesday, but his return to a full session a day later suggests that his absence was maintenance-related. In the Steelers' Week 9 win over the Colts, Washington led his team's tight ends in catches (four) and receiving yards (43) while logging six targets, but his production this season has been hit or miss due to the fact that Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth also are commanding their share of Pittsburgh's TE snaps and targets.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Participating in practice Thursday
Rotowire
Washington (foot) returned to practice Thursday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
Washington didn't practice Wednesday, but his return Thursday is encouraging, though it remains to be seen if he'll manage to practice without limitations. Working as part of a rotation alongside Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith, Washington has accrued 127 yards receiving yards and one touchdown through eight games. He hasn't missed a regular-season game in his three-year career heading into Sunday's road matchup against the Chargers.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Best yardage total of career
Rotowire
Washington recorded three receptions on five targets for 62 yards in Sunday's 23-9 win over the Browns. He also fumbled, but the ball went out of bounds.
Washington continues to emerge in the Pittsburgh offense, as he led the tight end corps in targets and receiving yards. His involvement began immediately, as he recorded a 36-yard reception on the first play from scrimmage. Washington later chipped in gains of 12 and 14 yards, both of which came primarily after the catch. The end result was Washington's best yardage total of his career, and he seems to have surpassed Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth for targets in the Pittsburgh offense.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Sees uptick in playing time
Rotowire
Washington secured all three of his targets for 20 yards during Sunday's 24-21 win over the Vikings.
Washington was targeted just once over the first three weeks of the regular season while playing less than half of the team's offensive snaps during that time. However, Jonnu Smith was limited in practice this week, and Washington was on the field for 91 percent of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps during the matchup in Dublin. While it was encouraging to see Washington get more involved, his role will likely decline if Smith is able to shed his limitations following the team's Week 5 bye.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Targeted once in defeat
Rotowire
Washington failed to secure his lone target during Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Seahawks.
Washington matched Pat Freiermuth's snap count during last week's regular-season opener. However, Washington played just 36 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps in Week 2 compared to 51 percent for Freiermuth and 56 percent for Jonnu Smith. Washington was targeted for the first time this season despite his slight decrease in playing time, but he appears unlikely to have a fantasy-relevant role in 2025.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Finds end zone in preseason win
Rotowire
Washington secured his lone target for a 19-yard touchdown during Saturday's 31-25 preseason win over Jacksonville.
Washington started in Saturday's preseason opener and put the team on the board with a touchdown reception to cap off Pittsburgh's first drive of the game. While the 2023 third-rounder saw his role grow slightly last season, he'll have increased competition for targets behind Pat Freiermuth in 2025 after the Steelers acquired Jonnu Smith from the Dolphins.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Logs four catches in victory
Rotowire
Washington secured all four of his targets for 36 yards during Sunday's 37-15 win over the Jets.
Washington found plenty of success under new starting quarterback Russell Wilson on Sunday, tallying career-high marks in receptions and receiving yards. While Washington had an encouraging performance Sunday and could establish more value if he can maintain a connection with Wilson, the second-year tight end has secured 10 of 11 targets for 91 yards and a touchdown over his first seven appearances of the season, so he hasn't been a very reliable fantasy option.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Logs two receptions in Week 4
Rotowire
Washington secured both of his targets for 31 yards during Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Colts.
Washington didn't have more than five receiving yards in any of the first three games of the season, but he tallied double-digit yards on both of his receptions during Sunday's defeat. He still didn't see as much work as starting tight end Pat Freiermuth, who secured five of seven targets for 57 yards and a touchdown. Although Washington looked good when he had the ball in his hands Sunday, he hasn't yet carved out a high enough target share to make him a reliable fantasy option.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Minimal production in win
Rotowire
Washington secured his lone target for five yards during Sunday's 18-10 win over the Falcons.
Although Washington was on the field for 54 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps Sunday, he didn't see much work in the passing game. Despite appearing in all 17 games during his rookie season in 2023, he didn't have more than one reception in any outing and could struggle to see many targets once again this year, especially if starting tight end Pat Freiermuth stays healthy.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Absent Thursday
Rotowire
Washington (knee) did not practice Thursday.
Washington wasn't listed on the injury report Wednesday, so this is a new issue for the second-year tight end. Connor Heyward and MyCole Pruitt would be in line for expanded roles behind Pat Freiermuth if Washington can't play Sunday against the Falcons.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Darnell Washington: Could see more opportunities
Rotowire
In his second season as a pro, Washington believes that there's a "strong possibility" he can emerge as more of a receiving threat, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
In 17 regular-season contests as a rookie last season, Washington caught just seven of his 10 targets for 61 yards, but with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on board, the 2023 third-rounder is a candidate to see more pass-catching opportunities in what figures to be a more tight-end friendly offense in Pittsburgh. At 6-foot-7, 264 pounds, Washington has the size to continue to make his mark as a run blocker, but the Georgia product has some untapped potential as a receiver and should have an opportunity to demonstrate that more in 2024, while working behind top option Pat Freiermuth in a TE corps that also includes Connor Heyward and MyCole Pruitt.
