There’s lastly readability on the damage Pittsburgh Steelers rookie OT Troy Fautanu suffered throughout Friday’s apply that despatched him to injured reserve and has knocked him out for the common season. In line with NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport, Fautanu “primarily” suffered a dislocated kneecap. He’ll want surgical procedure however may return ought to Pittsburgh make a postseason run.
Per the PPG’s Gerry Dulac, Fautanu damage his knee whereas engaged with a defender throughout apply. He was positioned on IR Saturday afternoon, knocking him out for no less than the subsequent 4 video games. However given the severity of the damage, he’ll miss much more time than that.
Former first spherical decide David DeCastro suffered a dislocated kneecap, together with different accidents, in the course of the preseason of his rookie 12 months. He returned late within the season, energetic in a Week 14 recreation and beginning Weeks 15-17. Maybe Fautanu can be on an analogous observe. Whereas his damage occurred later within the season, if the Steelers make the playoffs, Fautanu may have a shot to return. Whether or not or not he’d play after lacking a lot time stays to be seen.
It’s the second damage Fautanu suffered this season, spraining the MCL in his left knee in his preseason debut. It’s nonetheless unknown if this damage is to the identical leg or his proper knee.
Broderick Jones received the beginning for Sunday’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Whereas not excellent, he seemed much better than he did in Week 2 and would be the crew’s beginning proper deal with the remainder of the common season. The crew has been excessive on Fautanu since he fell to them within the first spherical of this 12 months’s draft, keen to place him within the beginning lineup.
With Pittsburgh off to a 3-0 begin, their playoff chances are high excessive. Regardless of a troublesome schedule to shut out the 12 months, groups who win their first three video games make the playoffs at a excessive charge. That is the fourth time Pittsburgh has began 3-0 beneath Mike Tomlin, making the playoffs the earlier three cases.
