Troy Fautanu Expects to Practice Next Week, Season Opener To Be Determined
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers rookie offensive tackle Troy Fautanu expects to practice next week and hopes to be active for the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 8. Fautanu sustained an MCL sprain in the first preseason game against the Houston Texans on Aug. 9.
“They told me the schedule is looking to practice next week if everything goes to plan,” Fautanu said after Wednesday’s practice. “Starting on Monday (I’ll practice), but we’ll see from there how these next couple days go doing rehab.”
“For sure, I want to be a resource to the team, and whatever position they have me playing in terms of how much I am playing is up to them,” Fautanu added when asked if he’s hopeful of playing in the season opener.
#Steelers OT Troy Fautanu continues to progress, coming back from a knee injury. pic.twitter.com/WvOlbUxKtQ
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) August 28, 2024
Troy Fautanu has been wearing a knee brace on his left leg, which is something that he’s not very fond of.
“The last couple of days I’ve been on the field running and stuff, cutting a little bit,” Fautanu said. “Today, I was with the O-line doing a little bit of indy (individual drills). Taking some sets, getting off the ball. Just trying to feel it out and see how it feels. I feel good. They got me wearing a knee brace. I’m not really a big fan of the knee braces. Never was forced to wear them in college or anything like that. It’s new to me but it’s something I have to adjust to if I want to play”
“I don’t know about the entire year, but until it starts feeling good,” Fautanu added when asked if he’ll have to wear the knee brace all year.
Fautanu is doing everything he can to prepare himself for the season mentally.
“For me, it’s just making sure that I am getting better every day,” Fauntau said. “I know that sounds cliche, but it’s real. Especially for me being a rookie coming in, being in this room, trying to elevate the room as much as I can, and learning as much as I can. A lot of these guys have game experience, I only have a half (in the preseason). So just making sure I am taking things from them and applying that to my routine going into whatever position they put me in come week 1 and going forward.”
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.
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