Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin gives injury update on Pat Freiermuth

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin updated fans on the injury status of his star tight end, Pat Freiermuth, shortly after the 19-13 win over the Titans on Sunday. Freiermuth is currently in the concussion protocol after he suffered a big hit to the head and his head then bounced off the ground.

The concussion is the second of this season for the former Penn State star–the other one occurred on Nov. 28 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

If he has to miss time, it’ll be a big loss for the Steelers at the most important time. They’re currently in a battle for a playoff spot at the end of the 2021 season. Tomlin also announced that Pittsburgh defensive end Chris Wormley has a groin injury.

Thanks to their win over the Titans on Sunday, the Steelers‘ playoff hopes are still alive.

Freiermuth has been the best rookie tight end in the National Football League in 2021, so the Steelers will anxiously await the return of their star playmaker.

More on Pat Freiermuth in 2021

Pat Freiermuth has become a fan favorite throughout his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Using his hard-nose playing and smooth hands, he’s been evoking memories of former Steelers great, tight end Heath Miller.

In what figures to be his final season, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has utilized his new found weapon at tight end. In an interview posted by Steelers Live on Twitter, Freiermuth detailed his relationship with the two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback.

“Ben and I’s relationship has grown immensely throughout the whole season,” stated Freiermuth. “Game-in and game-out and practice, stuff like that — I think we’ve developed a comfort level for each-other.”

The former Penn State star may have started slow out of the gate, but Pat Freiermuth has come along at a blazing speed in recent weeks. Moving forward, he looks like a vital piece of the Steelers offense for years to come.

He’s evoked comparisons to multiple great NFL tight ends — Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce, and Mark Andrews all come to mind when trying to find a suitable likeness.

While his relationship with Ben Roethlisberger may not last past this season, Pat Freiermuth will be a vital piece and steadying presence for the next quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

On3’s Stephen Samra also contributed to this report.