Before an important divisional game, the Steelers are regaining another offensive asset.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth is expected to be activated from injured reserve ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 11 game against the Cleveland Browns, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Saturday.
Pittsburgh later announced the move.
Freiermuth initially injured his hamstring during the Steelers’ Week 4 game against the Texans, and after taking a game off tried to be ready for Week 6. But in the leadup to the game Freiermuth aggravated the injury, and the setback was severe enough for Pittsburgh to place him on injured reserve on Oct. 21.
Earlier this week, Freiermuth was cleared to return to practice. He participated on a limited basis in Wednesday’s practice, before fully participating on Thursday and Friday.
On Tuesday, Head Coach Mike Tomlin expressed confidence in Freiermuth’s readiness for this week’s game. After observing the tight end’s performance during the week’s practices, it seems they have determined that he requires no additional time to regain his form before returning to the game.
Before the injury, Freiermuth had played a less prominent role in the Steelers’ struggling passing offense, collecting eight receptions for 53 yards and a pair of touchdowns in four games. But he has shown the potential to put up big numbers catching passes from Kenny Pickett, finishing with 732 receiving yards in 2022. The Steelers will hope he can get into that groove off the bat as Pittsburgh gets set to face a formidable Browns defense.
While the Steelers should have Freiermuth back to contribute on offense, Pittsburgh will be missing some key players on defense due to injury. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who has missed the team’s last two games with a hamstring injury of his own, has been ruled out for Sunday, while safety Keanu Neal (rib) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
The Steelers and Browns kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
