Darnell Washington catches another TD in win

Washington got in the end zone for the third time this year via an RPO toss from Rodgers near the goal line. His six targets were double the total of Pat Freiermuth, who was laboring through a calf injury in this contest. Muth should be healthier and earn more looks next week, making this minor spike game from Washington rather unsustainable. Washington will be a touchdown-or-bust TE2 for his Week 7 date with the Saints.

Freiermuth found the end zone late in the fourth quarter for his second touchdown of the season, tying fellow tight end Darnell Washington for fourth on the team with five targets. Washington managed to corral just two of his five targets but eclipsed the yardage total of Freiermuth with 27 yards while also adding a touchdown of his own. Both tight ends appear unlikely to contribute viable counting stats considering neither has seen more than five targets in a game during the first month of play.

It sounds like Warren is belongs on the RB1/2 border with Rico Dowdle (toe) sidelined again this week. The Steelers will try to control the line of scrimmage by frequently deploying TEs Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, both in the run game and as receivers.

No, Washington can’t be trusted in fantasy, but he sure is fun when he gets a full head of steam. Washington caught a season-high three passes in Sunday’s win over the Bengals and led the Steelers in receiving yards, thanks largely to the 47-yard play he made in the fourth quarter. A true man among boys with the ball in his hands, Washington rumbled through and past multiple defenders on his way to the big gain. While he’s always good for an exciting play or two, Washington can be left on waivers for now.

The Steelers notably signed TE Darnell Washington to a four-year, $42 million contract extension this offseason, but DeFabo believes Freiermuth is still the team’s TE1. He expects Washington to continue operating as a receiving threat, “especially in the red zone,” but he is apparently stuck in the TE2 role. Washington’s profile is certainly more intriguing, but he may be best viewed as a boom-bust backup option in best ball for now.

Washington’s contract includes $21 million in guaranteed money. A third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from Georgia, he’s been as advertised so far in his pro career. Washington has only 57 catches, 625 yards and two touchdowns in three seasons, but is a tremendous blocker and extremely difficult to tackle when he has the ball. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 264 pounds, he’s one of the most physically imposing players in the NFL. With a $10.5 million average annual value, Washington is 12th in AAV among tight ends. That level of commitment could be a sign the Steelers plan to use a good amount of two tight end sets with Washington and Pat Freiermuth in head coach Mike McCarthy’s first season.

Washington underwent surgery Monday and won’t return to the Steelers this season, even if they manage to beat the Ravens in Week 18 and make the playoffs. Washington ends the 2025 season with 31 receptions on 43 targets for 364 yards and one touchdown. He was third among Pittsburgh tight ends in catches, as Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth remains involved in Arthur Smith’s tight end-heavy offensive scheme. With Washington sidelined, Freiermuth would seem to be the main beneficiary. Both Smith and Freiermuth have a 48 percent route participation rate through Week 17.

Washington was ruled out shortly after leaving the field in the second quarter of Sunday’s game. The hulking tight end won’t be available for Week 18’s must-win game against the Ravens that will decide the winner of the AFC North, which further hurts a passing game that will already be without DK Metcalf. Both Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith could benefit from an uptick in targets with Washington sidelined.

Washington went down in the second quarter and attempted to come back in for a play. After his lone attempt to gut it out, he left for the sidelines and was ruled out shortly after leaving the field. Washington’s day ends with two receptions for 15 yards on two targets.

Austin left Week 16’s game with the hamstring injury. He went down in the second half and was listed as questionable to return but never did. A DNP today stacks the odds against him to suit up on Sunday. With DK Metcalf suspended for the remainder of the regular season, Adam Thielen is seemingly the team’s top wideout for Week 17. Aaron Rodgers will also lean heavily on his tight ends versus the Browns, putting Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth in the TE2 mix.