The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense lost another pass catcher to a hamstring injury after tight end Pat Freiermuth tweaked his hammy during the team’s 30-6 loss at the hands of the Houston Texans in Week 4.
With Freiermuth potentially missing some time in the coming weeks, how aggressively should you go after Darnell Washington on the waiver wire in your fantasy football league? Let’s take a closer look.
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Should Darnell Washington Be a Fantasy Waiver Wire Add in Week 5?
Recent reports suggest that Freiermuth could miss multiple weeks after picking up his hamstring injury on Sunday.
Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth expected to miss 2-3 weeks with hamstring injury, per team sources
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac)
This development should open the door for the talented rookie tight end from Georgia to see an expanded role in the Steelers’ passing game the next few weeks.
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The real problem is trusting any Steelers pass catcher at the moment.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett also picked up an injury on Sunday and could be in jeopardy of missing Week 5 with a bone bruise.
If Pickett were unable to go this Sunday, that would mean Mitchell Trubisky would make his first start of the 2023 season.
No matter what your feelings are about Trubisky as a player, the passing offense has struggled with Pickett under center.
Honestly, whether it’s Pickett or Trubisky at quarterback, there have been growing concerns about the offensive production under offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Freiermuth wasn’t exactly lighting up this season, even with Diontae Johnson out of the lineup for the past couple weeks, generating just eight receptions for 53 yards with two scores through the first four games.
Washington did catch his first NFL pass in Week 4, but he would be little more than a fringe top-15 play at the tight end position this week with Freiermuth out of the lineup.
If you are in a pinch, Washington is worth a look. But temper expectations for him with the current state of this passing attack.
