In a significant setback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, their promising young tight end, Pat Freiermuth, is expected to miss Sunday's highly anticipated game against the Los Angeles Rams, and his return to the field may be delayed even further. The news comes after Freiermuth aggravated his hamstring injury during practice on Thursday, leaving Steelers fans and the organization concerned about the extent of his absence.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers Pat Freiermuth celebrates with Kenny Pickett after he scored a touchdown against the New York Jets in 2022.
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, sources close to the team have confirmed that Freiermuth underwent an MRI this morning, revealing the severity of his hamstring injury. The results have left the Steelers with no choice but to put the talented tight end's return to action on hold.
#Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth is expected to miss Sunday’s game against the #Rams and likely will be sidelined longer after aggravating his hamstring in practice Thursday, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 20, 2023
Freiermuth had an MRI this morning, and now his return to action is on hold. pic.twitter.com/C4bHuOfMIV
Freiermuth, who hoped to be an integral part of the Steelers offense in 2023, suffered the initial hamstring injury during the team's Week 4 matchup against the Houston Texans. Despite his best efforts to recover quickly, it appears that his desire to return may have contributed to this latest setback.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers star 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.
Steelers Have To Remove Freiermuth From The Game Plan
This injury casts a shadow over the Steelers offensive strategies, particularly as they gear up to face the Rams, a team known for their formidable defense. Without Freiermuth, the team will need to rely on other receiving options to make up for his absence. His excellent hands, route running, and ability to stretch the field will be sorely missed.
The injury also raises questions about Freiermuth's future availability. Hamstring injuries can be particularly tricky, and pushing too hard to return too quickly can lead to further complications. Given the seriousness of the aggravation, it is likely that the Steelers medical staff will take a cautious approach to his rehabilitation. Freiermuth's absence is a blow to the Steelers, as he has established himself as one of the more promising young tight ends in the NFL.
The Steelers, who currently hold a 3-2 record, were hoping to be at full strength on the offensive side of the ball against the Rams. With Freiermuth's unexpected absence, they will have to hope that the return of Diontae Johnson is enough to get the Steelers past the Rams.
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Diontae Johnson escapes a defensive back from the Cincinnati Bengals
While it's undoubtedly a challenging situation for the Steelers, adversity is a part of every NFL season. Next man up and the standard is the standard. Freiermuth's injury will test the depth and versatility of the team's roster and provide opportunities for other players to showcase their talents.
As the ‘yinz eagerly awaits further updates on Freiermuth's condition, the Steelers will need to focus on preparing for their game against the Rams without one of their star offensive weapons. Only time will tell how long Freiermuth's recovery will take, but for now, the organization, the fans, and the team must rally behind him and adapt to the unexpected challenges that the NFL season can bring.
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