Report: Steelers open practice window for injured TE Pat Freiermuth, on track to play Sunday vs. Browns

The Steelers are preparing for tight end Pat Freiermuth to play this Sunday in a vital AFC North matchup against the Browns.

Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said as much, Tuesday, at his weekly press conference. But early Wednesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Steelers are opening the 21-day window for the tight end to get off injured reserve. It’s a technical detail on the tight end’s return to action.

Steelers are opening the 21-day practice window on TE Pat Freiermuth and he is tracking to play Sunday against the Browns, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 15, 2023

The Steelers tight end strained a hamstring, Oct. 1, in a loss to the Texans. Initially, Pittsburgh’s medical staff thought he could return without going on injured reserve. He did try and return to practice, but aggravated the hamstring. That’s when the Steelers placed him on IR, leaning he needed to miss at least four games.

But Pittsburgh is opening the 21-day window, meaning he’ll be elevated to the active roster within the next three weeks. It apparently will be a lot sooner than three weeks, with the Steelers offense getting a much needed boost to their offense.

Freiermuth is in his third season with the Steelers. Pittsburgh drafted Freiermuth, the former Penn State standout, in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Freiermuth can only help Steelers struggling passing game

Through the first four games this season, Freiermuth had caught eight passes for 53 yards. The Steelers and Kenny Pickett have struggled all seasons to get their passing game aloft. It’s currently averaging roughly 165 yards a game over the last three contests. But somehow, the Steelers still are winning.

Pickett, in his second year, would love an established tight end to help him out on third down and move the chains. Freiermuth was third on the team in 2022 in receiving, with 63 catches for 732 yards.

Tomlin said Tuesday that Freiermuth was on track to play Sunday, so long as there’s no reinjury.

“We’ll watch him go through the week and look at the quality of his work and the amount of it and how he feels and let that be a determining factor,” Tomlin told reporters. “But, [we] feel good about his potential availability.”

Tomlin now will see how well Freiermuth practices. Usually, active roster activations come the day before the game. In this case, it should be Saturday.

Tomlin also said Tuesday that he’s going to need more from Pickett. The Steelers are 6-3 and in a good spot to make the playoffs. However, the AFC North is crowded with quality. Pittsburgh plays the 6-3 Browns this Sunday. And suddenly, Cleveland isn’t as formidable. The Browns also made news Wednesday when word broke that quarterback Deshaun Watson is headed for IR after he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against the Ravens. PJ Walker is expected to start against the Steelers.