Mike Tomlin says Pat Freiermuth is doubtful for Week 5 game vs. Ravens

The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing a Week 5 game against the Ravens without starting tight end Pat Freiermuth. Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters on Tuesday that Freiermuth is doubtful to play this week after he exited the game against the Texans with a hamstring injury.

Prior to his early exit, Freiermuth had three catches for seven yards. Going into the Week 4 matchup, he had five catches for 46 yards and two touchdowns.

Last season, the former second-rounder had a career-high 63 receptions with two touchdowns and 732 yards. He’s missed just one game a season in each of the last two years.

With Freiermuth sidelined, the Steelers called on rookie tight end Darnell Washington. The former Georgia Bulldog hauled in his first career reception on Sunday against Houston. It was a single grab for 10 yards.

Steelers look to Washington to step up

The Steelers could rely on Washington much more heavily in the next two to three weeks as Freiermuth heals up. They have a matchup against the Ravens, then a bye, then a road game against the Rams.

In his final season at Georgia, Washington recorded 28 receptions for 454 yards and two touchdowns. The Steelers snagged the 6-foot-7, 265-pound tight end with the No. 93 overall pick during the 2023 NFL Draft.

Mike Tomlin also revealed Tuesday that injured quarterback Kenny Pickett should be back at practice after he suffered a bone bruise on Sunday.

However, Tomlin isn’t sure when Pickett will be well enough to play in a game.

“Obviously his functionality and comfort will be the guide tomorrow,” Tomlin told reporters. “As we push forward toward the game, the quality of his work will be the determining factor.”

Prior to his injury on Sunday, the young QB completed 15-of-23 passes for 114 yards and one interception. So far this season, Pickett’s taken 11 sacks while throwing four touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s completing passes at 60.6%, which is lower than last year at 63%.

The Steelers had backup QB Mitch Trubisky to step up in the starter’s absence, but it made no difference as Pittsburgh fell 30-6 on Sunday. Trubisky finished with three completions on five attempts for 18 yards.

In seven games (five starts) last season, he threw for 1,252 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions. The Steelers went 2-3 in his starts.

Pittsburgh kicks off against the Ravens on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET from Acrisure.