As a substitute of getting exterior assist, the Pittsburgh Steelers are utilizing in-house expertise to assist fill the void left by Diontae Johnson’s hamstring harm. With Johnson anticipated to overlook a number of weeks, the Steelers have promoted Dez Fitzpatrick off the apply squad (h/t Jim Wexell of Steel City Insider).
Fitzpatrick was added after the Steelers positioned Professional Bowl defensive sort out Cameron Heyward on injured reserve. Heyward underwent surgical procedure this week and is predicted to be out for eight weeks. Each Heyward and Johnson suffered their accidents throughout Pittsburgh’s 30-7 loss to the 49ers in Week 1.
Fitzpatrick, 25, was added to the Steelers’ apply squad shortly after the crew launched their preliminary 53-man roster. He performed in 76 snaps throughout the preseason (on offense in addition to on particular groups) however was focused simply twice.
Fitzpatrick arrived in Pittsburgh this previous January after spending his first two NFL seasons with the Titans, who chosen him within the fourth spherical of the 2021 NFL Draft. He caught his solely NFL regular-season landing go that season whereas filling in for injured starter Julio Jones.
Previous to the NFL, Fitzpatrick loved a profitable school profession at Louisville. He caught 9 landing passes as a rookie whereas taking part in with future Ravens star Lamar Jackson. Fitzpatrick caught 12 touchdowns throughout his remaining three seasons at Louisville and completed his profession with 154 catches and a 16.8 yards-per-catch common.
Fitzpatrick will be part of a Steelers receiving corps that presently contains George Pickens, Allen Robinson and Calvin Austin III. On Monday evening, the Steelers offense will face a Browns protection that held Joe Burrow to a career-low 82 passing yards final Sunday in a 24-3 win over the Bengals.
