In a devastating blow to the Pittsburgh Steelers, rookie right tackle Troy Fautanu has been sidelined for the rest of the season due to a dislocated kneecap. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport broke the news that Fautanu will require surgery to repair the ligament damage, putting an end to his promising debut campaign.
Despite the grim prognosis, there is a glimmer of hope for Fautanu and the Steelers. Rapoport suggests that if Pittsburgh secures a playoff spot, there is a chance that the rookie could make a miraculous return to action.
The injury occurred during a routine practice session, prompting the Steelers to quickly move Fautanu to injured reserve. This decision was made just a day after the incident, as the team scrambled to adjust their lineup in the wake of their young tackle’s misfortune.
Initially, Fautanu’s status for the upcoming game against the Chargers was up in the air. However, as the severity of the injury became apparent, it was clear that the rookie would be sidelined for a much longer period than initially anticipated.
Fautanu, a highly-touted prospect selected in the first round of the 2024 draft, had a promising start to his NFL career. In Week 1, Broderick Jones filled in admirably at right tackle in his absence. However, Fautanu was determined to make his mark in Week 2, starting the game and logging an impressive 55 snaps compared to Jones’ 11.
With Fautanu now out of the picture for the foreseeable future, Jones will have the opportunity to solidify his position as the team’s starting right tackle. The Steelers will undoubtedly miss Fautanu’s presence on the field, but they will look to Jones to step up and fill the void left by his young teammate.
