Fantasy Football News

The Steelers have agreed to a four-year extension with TE Darnell Washington worth $42 million, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, with $21 million of that guaranteed. Washington’s heading into his fourth season after arriving as a third-round pick in 2023. It’ll be his first under a new coaching staff, however, headed by Mike McCarthy. The extension puts Washington under contract with Pittsburgh through 2030, which would be his age-29 season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Indiana TE Riley Nowakowski in Round 5 of the NFL Draft. Nowakowski was an in-line blocker and safety valve for QB Fernando Mendoza this season at Indiana. Among the 27 TEs who attended the NFL Combine, Nowakowski ranked 15th in receiving yard market share (13.7%) and 11th in yards per team pass attempt (1.25). He also ranked ninth in yards per route run (1.68).

Steelers TE Darnell Washington broke his arm in Sunday's loss to the Browns, HC Mike Tomlin said afterward. That'll keep Washington from playing in Week 18's must-win game vs. the Ravens. And he'll likely miss all of the playoffs if Pittsburgh gets there. Washington's absence should mean more snaps for TEs Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith.

Steelers TE Darnell Washington is questionable to return to Sunday's game vs. the Browns with a forearm injury. Pittsburgh is already down WRs D.K. Metcalf and Calvin Austin today. We'll update Washington's status when we know more.

Update: Washington has been ruled out.

Steelers TE Darnell Washington has cleared concussion protocol and will play vs. the Dolphins on Monday night, the team announced. He'll continue splitting snaps with TEs Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith. Those guys are only in play in one-game daily contests.

Steelers TE Darnell Washington (concussion) is questionable for Monday night's game vs. the Dolphins. He was limited in practice all week. We might not know Washington's status for this one until Monday. Avoid Pittsburgh TEs in Week 15 fantasy lineups.

Steelers TE Darnell Washington (concussion) got in a limited practice on Thursday. He's made progress through the protocol and has a chance to be cleared for Monday night's game vs. the Dolphins. We'll keep tabs on Washington's progress over the next few days.

Steelers TE Darnell Washington sustained a concussion in the first half of Sunday's game vs. the Ravens and won't return. He caught his only target for 12 yards before exiting. Washington's absence should mean more snaps for TEs Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth. Washington will get an extra day to clear protocol for next Monday night's game vs. the Dolphins.

Steelers WR Calvin Austin (shoulder) is out for Thursday night's game vs. the Bengals. Scott Miller finished second among Pittsburgh WRs with a 48% route rate with Austin out last week. The Steelers went with a bunch of two and three-TE sets with Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, and Pat Freiermuth. Those guys are worth considering in one-game daily contests but shouldn't be in season-long fantasy lineups.

Steelers WR George Pickens (hamstring) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Browns. Reports on his status for this one were positive this morning, but Pickens’ pregame workout must not have gone well. His absence leaves a huge hole in Pittsburgh’s passing game. Pickens has accounted for 24% of the team's targets, 24% of the receptions, 32% of the receiving yards, and 30% of the receiving TDs since QB Russell Wilson took over. WRs Calvin Austin, Van Jefferson, and Mike Williams could all pick up extra targets, along with TEs Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. But we’ll also likely see the Steelers lean even more on the run game. Russell Wilson is not a recommended QB1 play with Pickens out.

Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth tied his season low with a 58% snap share in Sunday's win over the Ravens. That matched his low set back in Week 2, but it also matched his snap share for Week 10. Freiermuth's playing time has been falling recently, from a Week 6 peek of 87%, to 71%, then 65%, and the 58% of the past two weeks. He has now tied or trailed TE Darnell Washington in snaps for two straight games.

Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) is officially out for Sunday's game vs. the Rams. He reinjured his hamstring on Thursday and is expected to miss more time beyond Week 7, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward have tag-teamed TE duties with Freiermuth out. Neither is a viable fantasy play. WRs Diontae Johnson and George Pickens should pick up more volume with Freiermuth out.

Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game vs. the Ravens. Pittsburgh has a Week 6 bye, and Freiermuth should have a chance to be back for Week 7. His absence this weekend leaves TE duties to Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward. Neither is a reliable fantasy play.

Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with his hamstring injury, according to The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac. The Steelers have a Week 6 bye, so it's possible that Freiermuth ends up missing just one game. He'll be replaced by some combination of rookie TE Darnell Washington and TE Connor Heyward. Neither guy is a recommended fantasy add.