Steelers announce Pat Freiermuth's return to practice

The Steelers are expecting Pat Freiermuth to practice today, but as of now, the tight end still is on injured reserve.

The team made the announcement, Wednesday morning, before the start of Steelers practice. In the meantime, the team also said it had signed defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko and linebacker Tyler Murray to the practice squad.

TE Pat Freiermuth will return to practice today but remains on the Reserve/Injured List & we have signed DT Breiden Fehoko and LB Tyler Murray to the practice squad.

📝: https://t.co/jscENBIU7k pic.twitter.com/PbU0OWmk0J

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 15, 2023

You’ll have to forgive the Steelers for being a bit cautious with Freiermuth, their third-year tight end from Penn State. He strained his hamstring, Oct. 1, during a loss at the Houston Texans. At the time, the injury wasn’t serious enough to put Freiermuth on injured reserve. However, Freiermuth returned to practice and aggravated the hamstring injury. That’s when the Steelers needed to place him on IR, meaning he had to miss a minimum of four games. That return window now is open.

Early Wednesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Pittsburgh planned to open the 21-day window for Freiermuth’s return to the active roster. It was confirmed when the Steelers said he’d practice today. If he’s able to play against the Browns this Sunday, the Steelers likely will announce his activation, Saturday.

Through the first four games this season, Freiermuth had caught eight passes for 53 yards. The Steelers and quarterback Kenny Pickett have struggled all seasons to get their passing game off the ground. It’s currently averaging roughly 165 yards a game over the last three contests. But the Steelers still are winning, even if they’ve been outgained by each opponent in every game this season.

An established tight end would help Pickett on third down so that the offense can keep moving the chains. A year ago, Freiermuth was third on the team in receiving, with 63 catches for 732 yards.

Meanwhile, the other roster moves are telling. Fehoko is the former LSU star. The Steelers released him from the active roster two days ago, then signed him again. The defense is looking for depth as Cam Heyward comes back from groin surgery. Plus, Montravius Adams is dealing with an ankle issue. Murray is a rookie who signed a free agent contract with the Bengals after the draft. The Steelers also need bodies at linebacker after Kwon Alexander tore his Achilles in Sunday’s win over the Packers.

The moves come after Pittsburgh released tight end Scotty Washington and offensive lineman Joey Fisher. With Freiermuth coming back, there’s no need for an extra tight end.

The Steelers travel to Cleveland for a key AFC North matchup against the Browns. The winner of the game gets to keep up with the Ravens. But Pittsburgh probably will be the heavy favorite since Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will miss the rest of the season because of a shoulder fracture. Cleveland will go with journeyman PJ Walker.