Troy Fautanu Out for the Season
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport posted on Twitter/X late Sunday night that Pittsburgh Steelers rookie offensive tackle Troy Fautanu suffered what is essentially a dislocated kneecap. He will have surgery to repair the ligament damage. While the injury will keep Fautanu out for the regular season, Rapoport thinks he could return, if Pittsburgh makes the playoffs.
The Steelers made Fautanu their first round choice (20th overall) in this year’s NFL Draft. The former Washington Husky was the 2023 Morris Trophy winner, which is awarded to the top offensive lineman in the Pac 12.
Fautanu’s rookie season got off to an inauspicious start -beginning in the preseason - where he sustained a knee injury - in the exhibition opener versus the Houston Texans. He would miss the rest of the preseason.
After missing the season opener in Atlanta, Fautanu made his NFL debut in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos - rotating at right tackle - along with Broderick Jones.
It was during Friday’s practice that Fautanu had a knee injury, which initially placed him on injured reserve on Saturday, which means he would miss a minimum of four games.
Broderick Jones will now look solidify his spot as the Steelers starting RT.