Troy

Fautanu

Fautanu was already placed on injured reserve and ruled out for the season after suffering the injury in Friday’s practice. There’s a chance the No. 20 overall pick could return a playoff run if the Steelers, currently sitting at 3-0, make the postseason, but that’s a decision to be made much further down the line.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Fautanu could return if the Steelers make the playoffs. The first-round rookie started at right tackle in Week 2 and quickly established himself as a high-end asset in pass protection. His 69.3 PFF pass-blocking grade ranks No. 1 among Steelers linemen with at least 25 pass-protection repetitions this season.

The rookie made his first career start last week. He took over at right tackle and played well in his debut, allowing two pressures but no sacks on 29 pass-blocking reps according to Pro Football Focus. The No. 20 overall pick was one of many recent moves made by the Steelers to bolster their offensive line. Broderick Jones, taken in the first round of the 2023 draft, started at right tackle in Week 1 and will presumably reclaim that job until Fautanu returns.

Seumalo suffered a pectoral injury last Wednesday and may experience a multi-week absence to begin the year. Second-year backup Spencer Anderson will start in his stead. RT Troy Fautanu (knee) was promisingly listed as a limited participant on Wednesday.

The Steelers used their No. 20 overall pick to address their needs at tackle with the selection of Fautanu. The former Washington Husky didn’t become a full-time start until 2022 but was among the best tackles in the nation over the last two years. Playing on more than 1,200 passing plays, Fautanu allowed just two sacks on 38 pressures during his final two seasons, and should provide immediate protection for Russell Wilson/Justin Fields this year in Pittsburgh.

A four-star OG from the 2019 prep cycle, Fautanu (6’4/317) effectively took redshirts in his first two seasons, logging just 12 offensive snaps in that span before being called upon to start three of the seven games he played in 2021. There was a “bend, but don’t break” element to Fautanu’s final season at Washington, as he struggled with UCLA’s Laiatu Latu and the “Pass-Rushing Murphy Brothers,” allowing four pressures to a rugged Bruins edge group. While Fautanu allowed 23 pressures and a somewhat elevated 2.7% pressure rate, he still allowed only three hits on star QB Michael Penix Jr. in 584 pass reps. The third-team AP All-American was remarkably consistent this year, recording a 71st-percentile pass block grade in every game on the schedule while never allowing more than two pressures in any contest for the Pac-12 Champs. His combine testing confirmed his freakish speed/power capabilities, testing in the 94th percentile on both the broad (9’05”) and vertical jump (32.5) along with a blazing 5.01s 40-yard dash (96th%) combined for a 9.45 RAS score. He utilizes balance, flexibility, and active hands to stay between his man and the quarterback in pass pro, which helps offset a tendency to get dislodged by stiff bull rushes. Could stand to be more precise when seeking out second-level blocks and is older than most of his OT prospect contemporaries, as he turns 24 in October. Fautanu has tweener dimensions, which could eventually kick him inside. He has the talent to be a staple in the lineup at either tackle or guard for whichever team selects him.