Steelers' Week 2 Injury Update: Pat Freiermuth To Play; Defensive Line May Be Without Another Massive Member

Along with getting demolished in Week 1, the Pittsburgh Steelers also walked away with several injuries. Cam Heyward was the most notable one, as he will miss at least half of the season after being placed on IR. Next, Diontae Johnson suffered a hamstring injury, but it seems like he avoided a serious one. Mike Tomlin admitted early in the week that it was unlikely that Johnson would be available for Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns.

The daily practice injury reports have indicated just that, as the star wideout again missed practice on Friday. He's likely to miss multiple weeks with his hamstring issue, so this comes as no surprise. As far as other tidbits from Friday's injury update, it seems like third-string running back Anthony McFarland Jr. is trending toward missing Monday's game. The Maryland product hasn't practiced this week with a knee injury, as Mike DeFabo of The Athletic provided a synopsis of Friday's injury report. 

After an impressive training camp in Latrobe, McFarland won the job as the team's No. 3 running back. In five offensive snaps in the season opener, he actually caught two passes for 11 yards, which included a first down. With his status for Monday in doubt, Qadree Ollison and Greg Bell seem to be the most likely guys to be elevated to the active roster. They are the two running backs that are currently on the team's 16-man practice squad.

With just three running backs on the active roster, one of these two will likely be active on Monday if McFarland is unable to play. In more concerning news, injuries continue to be a problem for defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi. He had nagging foot issues throughout the 2022 campaign, but the team ultimately re-signed him to a long-term deal this offseason. Not only did he miss Friday's practice, but he is again dealing with a foot injury. 

Should The Steelers Acquire An External Defensive Lineman?

With Heyward already out, the defensive line absolutely needs Ogunjobi. That holds particularly true when you consider who the Steelers are set to face. The Browns, led by one of the game's best running backs in Nick Chubb, have one of the most lethal rushing attacks in the NFL. The Steelers were gashed by the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1, and things may not get any better in the second game of the season. 

The offensive line made it through the 2022 campaign with the same five starters for all 17 games. That streak is already in jeopardy for 2023 though, as James Daniels (ankle) and Chukwuma Okorafor (concussion) are both banged up. With Okorafor's status in doubt at right tackle, rookie Broderick Jones has begun to take reps there. Once again, this is a worrisome issue for the coaching staff, as Myles Garrett is lined up on the opposing side.

Perhaps the only bit of positive news from Friday's injury report is the fact that tight end Pat Freiermuth was a full participant. He suffered a chest injury in the season opener, and his status for Week 2 was unclear. Now, it seems like he will play against the division rivals. With Johnson out, Freiermuth could play a huge role in occupying space in the middle of the field for the Steelers offense.

It's important to remember that the team plays on Monday Night Football this week. With that, the team has an additional day to prepare and rest. Still, just three days away from the game, Friday's injury report isn't exactly encouraging. The team got beat up in the trenches in Week 1, and with several key players potentially out, it may get even uglier in Week 2 at Acrisure Stadium.

How concerned are you about the Steelers' offensive and defensive line for Monday night? Which pass catcher will need to step up the most in Johnson's absence? What should the team do at the tackle positions if Okorafor is unable to go? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, yinz!

#SteelerNation