The Steelers were unable to win on Sunday, meaning they have not clinched top spot in the AFC North. Week 18’s winner-take-all game against the Ravens will see Pittsburgh shorthanded on offense. 
Tight end Darnell Washington exited today’s loss against the Browns and was unable to return. Once the game was over, his arm was in a sling (h/t Mike DeFabo of The Athletic). Head coach Mike Tomlin has since announced (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor) Washington suffered a fractured arm in Week 17.
The injury does not have a firm timetable at this point, but it all-but ensures he will not be available next week. Washington has emerged as a notable figure in Pittsburgh’s passing game this season, his third in the NFL. The 24-year-old was limited to two catches prior to exiting today’s game, but that brought his total in 2025 to 31, a career high. His absence will be felt presuming Washington is unable to suit up against the Ravens.
A lack of pass-catching production proved to be an issue throughout Week 17 for the Steelers. D.K. Metcalf served the first of his two-game suspension, while fellow receiver Calvin Austin was inactive as well. Pittsburgh struggled on offense for much of the day and wound up scoring just six points against Cleveland. A rebound on offense will be needed next week, but being without Washington while Metcalf serves the final game of his ban will leave the Steelers thin on targets.
Pat Freiermuth looms as a tight end option for Pittsburgh to close out the season, although his lack of usage on offense has been a talking point for much of the year. Offseason trade acquisition Jonnu Smith has chipped in during his latest season working with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, and he will also look to fill in while Washington is absent. It remains to be seen how long that stretch will be – and a recovery timeline will of course become relevant if the Steelers reach the playoffs – but in any event Pittsburgh is set to remain shorthanded at the skill positions for the final week of the regular season.
DK’s idiocy could cost the Steelers a postseason bid.
Could also cost his QB coming back next year if they lose
What he did WAS idiotic.
But you’re delusional if you think he’s the cause of this team struggling today. It starts with the head coach and his offensive coordinator
It extends to Rodgers
This team was never really good enough to be a “contender”. Who are we fooling here?
DK being suspended for a winner take all game ooooooooof just keeps getting worse for DK
The big TE thst no one really wants to tackle will now be getting a cast of sorts to bludgeon DBs further enhancing his ‘yards after’, if he plays – just keeps gettin harder for little guys
Had so much hope for this guy through college and pre draft but never done much
More to do with Steelers lack of QBs and offense.
He’s done pretty well lately with Rodgers. The other QBs never could seem to use him, but Rodgers has trusted more and more as the season has progressed.
Considering how low volume the Steelers’ offense has been, it’s actually not bad for player who is emerging as a receiver. Washington is, after all, one of three viable pass catching options at that spot, and isn’t receiving all the snaps by default.
Without Metcalf, though, the Steelers are really doomed at receiver. Rodgers already had a dearth of options before, but Washington was becoming his most reliable target in recent weeks. Metcalf being out is hard enough at receiver (not because Metcalf was unstoppable, but because he was the only receiver outside that any other team would probably want), but Washington slowly becoming the guy that Rodgers looked for made him the top reliable substitute. Not sure who’s left at either position to consistently throw to-compounded bybhow hard running will be with two smaller backs that probably are going to see a lot of stacked fronts.
The final game of the regular season. Steelers players better be ready to tackle The King.