Steelers notes: Pat Freiermuth has 1 catch in return off IR, Elijah Riley injured in loss to Browns
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CLEVELAND — Playing for the first time in seven weeks, Pat Freiermuth played a bit role on offense in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss Sunday.
The starting tight end, Freiermuth was targeted only once by quarterback Kenny Pickett. It went for 7 yards on a first-and-10 snap early during the fourth quarter of the Steelers’ 13-10 setback to the Cleveland Browns.
“I felt great,” Freiermuth said of his health. “Obviously, would have been a lot better with a win, but I feel good with where I am at (health-wise).”
Freiermuth was activated off the injured reserve list Saturday. He suffered a hamstring injury during an Oct. 1 loss to the Houston Texans and ultimately went on IR. Freiermuth returned to practice this week.
After having more than 60 catches during each of his first two NFL seasons, Freiermuth now has only nine receptions for 60 yards in five 2023 games.
Pickett briefly leaves game
Pickett briefly had to leave Sunday’s game but ultimately did not miss a snap.
During the process of burrowing his way forward on a fourth-and-1 QB sneak from the Steelers’ 29 with 5 minutes, 9 seconds left in the third quarter, Pickett lost his helmet.
Pickett stayed on the field for a few moments as the officials spotted the ball and awarded the Steelers a first down.
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“I think dirt kicked up in my eye or something,” Pickett said. “Once they washed it out, I was good.”
But because training personnel had come out to attend to Pickett on the field, that prompted backup Mitch Trubisky to take the field for the next snap. By rule, when the officials signal for an injury timeout, a player must sit out at least one snap.
But before that snap could take place in this case, Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski challenged the spot on the fourth-and-1 run. That initiated a video review.
The Browns lost the challenge, which meant they were charged with a timeout. Therefore, Pickett did not have to sit out a play.
Riley injured
Safety Elijah Riley was the lone injury mentioned by coach Mike Tomlin in his postgame remarks. Riley had “a high ankle” ailment, per Tomlin.
Safety Trenton Thompson was attended to by training personnel for an apparent ailment suffered during a third-quarter punt, but he did not miss any game action.
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