Steelers Injury Updates: TE Pat Freiermuth Leaves Practice

UNITY TWP., Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth suffered a lower body injury and was unable to finish the team’s second training camp practice of the 2022 season at St. Vincent College on Thursday.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said that Freiermuth “experienced some lower-body tightness” and that he was still be evaluated. 

“We’ll exercise that necessary precaution, get him evaluated and not let a small thing become a big thing,” Tomlin said.

With the practice starting in a driving rainstorm, the Steelers practiced on a turf field instead of their usual grass surface. It’s unclear if the change in surface or weather contributed to Freiermuth’s injury.

Zach Gentry, who has been playing a good bit in the build-up to then season with the Steelers using more two tight end sets, was elevated to the first time in his place, with Kevin Rader bumping up from the third squad to the second.

Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi didn’t practice in team periods for the second consecutive day, but looks like he’s fully participating in individual periods and is close to ready to go.

Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (NFI list, wrist) was jogging and catching tennis balls. Tomlin characterized his injury as minor, and that appears to be the case.

Defensive tackle Tyson Alualu remains on the PUP list with his left knee swelling and did minimal work on Thursday. Alualu seems farther from a return than Fitzpatrick does at this point.

Chris Wormley, DeMarvin Leal and Montravius Adams continue to be the primary beneficiaries of the additional reps on the defensive line with Alualu and Ogunjobi not taking team snaps.

Safety Miles Killebrew, who injured his pec on Wednesday, did not participate in practice.

Damontae Kazee has been working as the first-team free safety with Fitzpatrick out, but Karl Joseph and Tre Norwood have also seen more playing time at safety.