We're halfway through June, and the Pittsburgh Steelers haven't dealt with any major injuries yet. In fact, teams around the NFL have stayed relatively healthy in that aspect, a main reason for going non-contact until training camp. However, they are dealing with a few minor injuries from what we know.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has already become one of the best tight ends in the NFL, and he'll be expected to take another step forward in 2023.
Star tight end Pat Freiermuth is entering his third season in the NFL, and he will be expected to take another step forward. He's been dealing with an undisclosed injury at minicamp this week, but ESPN's Brooke Pryor reported that it's believed to be minor. While we still don't know what the injury exactly is, he should be ready by the beginning of training camp in just over a month.
Freiermuth, who hasn’t been wearing a helmet at minicamp, said today he’ll be good to go by training camp. https://t.co/JI9bzGXJ1F
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) June 14, 2023
If there is a silver lining to this, it's that rookie Darnell Washington will be getting some more looks. Considered a steal in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Washington is expected to become a big contributor for the black and gold. Tight end has quietly become arguably the team's biggest strength, as they are suddenly loaded with depth. Zach Gentry sits behind the two, while sophomore Connor Heyward will play in a few different roles for the offense in 2023.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
The Steelers re-signed veteran WR Anthony Miller to a one-year deal back in January, as he was one of the training camp standouts in 2022.
Elsewhere, wide receiver Anthony Miller has been dealing with an injury for a few weeks according to multiple reports. After a stellar training camp in Latrobe last season, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury before the regular season even began. With some much-needed back-end depth and experience at the position, the team opted to bring him back on a one-year deal.
What Steelers WRs will be cut?
Miller's been dealing with a hamstring issue, but like Freiermuth, it's believed to be minor. Regardless, it's a huge setback for the veteran entering his sixth season in the NFL. The top four wideouts on the Steelers are essentially locks, leaving two or three spots open. Miles Boykin seems likely to make the roster, despite being re-signed late in the offseason process, simply due to his special teams impact.
That could leave just one spot left for guys like Miller and Hakeem Butler. Butler's size and speed combination has impressed many at training camp. That makes it even more crucial for the speedster to return healthy relatively soon. In his career, he has racked up 140 catches for 1,589 yards and 12 touchdowns. He brings some familiarity to the offense, something that will help his chances of making the 53-man roster in a few months.
Jordan Schofield / Steeler Nation (Twitter: JSKO_Photo)
The Steelers re-signed Miles Boykin late in the offseason, and his special teams impact makes him a likely candidate to make the 53-man roster.
What are your expectations for Freiermuth in this third season? Who can the team not afford to lose to injury before the 2023 campaign begins? What wide receivers will end up making the 53-man roster? How much does this hurt Miller's chances? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, as well as on our social media sites, yinz!
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