Steelers Rookie TE Darnell Washington Will Play Sunday

PITTSBURGH — Steelers tight end Darnell Washington will play against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, he told 93.7 the Fan. Over the last two days, his limited status raised alarm bells, but it seems that Washington is fine despite being listed with that knee injury. Pittsburgh will have Washington to help slow down Maxx Crosby off the edge.

The Steelers will still have Pat Freiermuth and Connor Heyward as well. For a team that has gone so tight end multiple, having all the available tight ends is essential for the team to go on the upswing. Matt Canada talked about potentially bringing in Broderick Jones as a jumbo tight end to help the run game out.

It is unknown which knee Darnell Washington injured, but it should be noted that he fell in the NFL Draft due to knee injury concerns. Still coming out of the NFL Draft, Washington had no concerns about his knee. But not all the teams in the league agreed with that.

“You know, with my health, I feel great,” Washington said after he was drafted. “Some teams had concerns with knees because I’m taller and a bigger guy. They talked about some knee swelling. For me, I had no injury with my knees ever, knock on wood. I never tore anything in the knees. I had knee surgery on the right knee, but that was just cartilage that flaked up, they went in and cleaned it.”

Washington has played a fair amount in both games in the Steelers’ 12 and 13 personnel looks. He is the best blocking tight end on the team, so the Steelers do need him. Against the Raiders, in particular, the tight-end matchup is ripe for the taking. Washington can factor into that in the red zone, but Freiermuth should see much work this week.