PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Steelers rookie offensive tackle Troy Fautanu was seen walking around the locker room wearing a knee brace after the team’s season opener. Fans were immediately concerned because the first-round pick had suffered a torn ACL in the past and without clear indications of what happened, there was no real assessment of how bad it was.
But the Steelers received some positive news. Although Fautanu is still dealing with a pretty serious injury, the injury is not as serious as it could have been. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the rookie suffered a sprained medial ligament and it is “not considered serious.”
#Steelers OL Troy Fautanu suffered a mild MCL sprain in Friday’s season opener, according to a source. It is not considered serious for Pittsburgh’s first-round pick.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) 10 August 2024
Although he avoided disaster, Fautanu is not expected to be on the field when the team returns for training camp, and he could miss the rest of the preseason. After battling for a starting spot at right tackle, the first-round rookie out of Washington may have to wait before making the first team this season.
In the meantime, the Steelers will continue to use Dan Moore Jr. at left tackle and Broderick Jones at right tackle. The ultimate goal, according to general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin, is for Jones to move to the left side, but not before Fautanu has earned the starting spot at right guard.
Without Fautanu, the Steelers also have a backup option in Dylan Cook. The former quarterback turner and offensive lineman made the 53-man roster last season and continues to impress as he develops into the position. With Fautanu out, Cook will continue to be the swing tackle on game days and could be reinstated to the active roster at the right time after an impressive training camp and injury.
The Steelers have two more preseason games before heading to Atlanta for the season opener, and Fautanu’s status for that game is still uncertain.
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