CBS Sports: Pittsburgh Steelers favorite player to undergo surgery for significant knee injury.
With Justin Fields at quarterback, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a 3-0 record. After defeating the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Mike Tomlin’s squad is now squarely back in the conversation for the postseason. Shortly after they learned the bad news regarding youngster Troy Fautanu’s injury, they won. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the offensive tackle will be sidelined for the whole regular season due to a dislocated kneecap.
Right tackle Broderick Jones, another previous first-round selection, has taken his place. The injury happened to Fautanu during the first preseason game vs the Houston Texans. If all goes according to Rapoport, the youngster might make a comeback in time for the postseason. A key component of the Steelers’ offense is their run game, and Jones has flourished in it.
Even if Fautanu’s season never really got underway, the Steelers still lost, which is frustrating. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to bring the Washington product onto the field for this season. The Steelers will not be able to benefit from their acquisition of him with the 20th overall pick until the postseason.
Mason Rudolph played quarterback in the final moments of the Steelers’ season as they barely made it to the playoffs. They lost Rudolph in free agency and dealt Kenny Pickett to the Eagles, so Tomlin was left without a signal caller. Although signing Fields and Russell Wilson was an unorthodox approach, it has proven effective thus far.
Wilson took the starting job right out of camp, but he suffered an injury before Week 1. Despite playing with a substitute quarterback and offensive tackle, the Steelers defeated the Falcons 18-10 without allowing a touchdown. They are ahead in the AFC North after three weeks, having defeated the Broncos and Chargers.
Without Troy Fautanu, the offensive line has held its own. Wilson is not as mobile as Fields, therefore he is a very different quarterback to cover. Should Fields be benched at any point this season, the Steelers offensive line will be put to the real test.
