Official Timeline For Steelers' Darnell Washington To Return From Broken Arm Revealed

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a golden opportunity to win the AFC North division on Sunday, but ended up falling by a score of 13-6 to the Cleveland Browns. It was a disappointing defeat, and one that will be looked back on as an epic failure if the team is not able to overcome the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18. It would have been great for the franchise to have a chance to rest starters during the last contest of the regular season; however, that will no longer be an option and the hope is that as many healthy and capable bodies as possible will be available.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin is already expected to be without TJ Watt as the edge rusher works his way back from a lung injury. Additionally, DK Metcalf will be serving the second game of his current suspension. To make matters worse, dynamic tight end Darnell Washington suffered a broken arm in the loss to Cleveland, which can be both painful and restrictive.

On Monday morning, NFL insider Ian Rapoport gave updates regarding several injured players around the league. Unfortunately for the Steelers, Washington is not likely to come back unless Pittsburgh is playing in February.

"Darnell Washington, their 6-foot-seven tight end — one of the tougher matchups in the NFL — is going to be out for the foreseeable future with a broken arm, a fractured forearm," Rapoport said. "Generally, that is a five- or six-week injury so maybe if the Steelers advance all the way to the Super Bowl he could be back."

This is a major blow to an offense that has relied on the mismatch that Washington provides. He has had a breakout season of sorts, and this arm issue proves that he isn't invincible, despite his 6'7", 311-pound frame. This will provide an opportunity for the offense to finally utilize Pat Freiermuth, but not having Washington is a very unfortunate outcome.

Steelers Have To Defeat Ravens Without Top Offensive Weapons In Week 18

Aside from Kenneth Gainwell, it can be argued that Metcalf and Washington have been the two most important skill players for Pittsburgh's offense throughout the 2025 campaign. Now, the duo will both be out because of an attempted punch gone wrong in Detroit and a broken arm. 

Rapoport is a trustworthy source for reporting, so it is unlikely that the situation with Washington ends up getting labeled as anything less severe. His respectable season has pretty much come to a close. It would take a speedy recovery and magical run to the Super Bowl if the Steelers' do-it-all tight end is going to be seen on a field again during the 2025 season.

Do the Steelers stand a chance against the Ravens in Week 18 without Metcalf and Washington on the field? Let us know in the comments below!

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