Steelers Finally Find Way to Use Darnell Washington in Red Zone
DENVER — Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington had the only touchdown for the Steelers in Sunday’s 13-6 win over the Denver Broncos. The Steelers finally utilized the big tight end in the red zone, as that was his first career touchdown.
Washington hauled in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Justin Fields on third-and-goal to give the Steelers an early 7-0 lead. Fields put the ball right where it needed to be on the fade pattern, and Broncos safety P.J. Locke had no chance against the 6-foot-7 Washington.
“That’s big on little, you got to make the play,” Darnell Washington said of the size mismatch against the 5-foot-10 Locke.
Washington did a salute after his first career touchdown in honor of his brother, Ezekiel, who is in the Marines.
“Yeah, so I saluted for my brother,” Washington said. “He’s serving right now in (Washington) D.C.. I just told him first touchdown, that’s what I’m gonna do. So that’s what I did.”
Fields. Washington. @Steelers on the board!
đź“ş: #PITvsDEN on CBS/Paramount
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/JUlDeQJhm5— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
Washington wasn’t sure what the read progression was on his touchdown, but it was a play ran during practice.
“In practice, we did throw it and it was incomplete,” Washington said when asked if the play was designed to go to him. “And today, I was like I got to get it. Today matters.”
Washington, who’s known to be a blocking tight end, hopes the touchdown grab will open things up for him more in the passing game going forward.
“I feel like that play just (gave) coach the confidence to believe in me a little more,” Washington said. “Doing it on Sundays and giving him more confidence to drawing up more plays (for me).”
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith loves to utilize tight ends, so Washington could be a lethal red zone threat. His 6-foot-7 size is certainly an advantage.
Washington has the Steelers only touchdown through two games.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Denver.
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