Darnell Washington - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Catches TD in win over Tampa Bay Washington caught four of six targets for 25 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-19 overtime win over the Bucs.

Impact The Steelers entered the fourth quarter trailing 16-3, but Washington sparked the comeback with a five-yard touchdown to make it 16-10. It was the big tight end's second touchdown of the season, and he's now recorded 15 grabs for 156 yards and the two scores on 22 targets through six games. He's on pace for a career year in the receiving department and is a preferred target of Aaron Rodgers near the goal line due to his sheer size advantage.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Rodgers throws 2 late TD passes as Steelers storm back to beat Buccaneers 26-19 in OT

Aaron Rodgers threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns to rally the Pittsburgh Steelers from a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit to a 26-19 overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccane...

3 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

The Steelers are hurting at wide receiver, so Aaron Rodgers will try to build chemistry on the fly

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be short-handed at wide receiver when they travel to face Tampa Bay

OCTOBER 14 • Associated Press

Only two catches in Week 5 win Washington caught two of three targets for 12 yards during the Steelers' 34-22 win over the Colts on Sunday.

Impact Both of Washington's catches came in the first half, and he saw just one more target from Aaron Rodgers in the third quarter. Washington's numbers were dwarfed by his tight end teammate Pat Freiermuth, with the latter finishing with a 5-44-2 receiving line on seven targets. Washington will take an 11-131-1 receiving line (on 16 targets) into the Steelers' Week 6 road tilt against the Buccaneers, whose defense ranks in the bottom-10 in the league in receiving yards allowed to tight ends this season.

OCTOBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Finds paydirt in Week 4 loss Washington caught three of five targets for 27 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Cleveland on Thursday.

Impact Washington was one of four Steelers who tied for second on the team with four receptions. Most of his yardage came on a 21-yard touchdown catch early in the fourth quarter that brought Pittsburgh to within five points. Washington began the campaign with a quiet first two weeks, but he's put together a solid 6-94-1 receiving line over his past two contests. He and the Steelers will next face Indianapolis at home next Sunday.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

The Steelers refused to give in to Joey Porter Jr. The principled, if outdated, stand may cost them

The Pittsburgh Steelers took a gamble that could cost them by not re-signing cornerback Joey Porter Jr. The team traded Porter to Dallas after reaching a contract impasse with the...

OCTOBER 2 • Associated Press

Are The Browns For Real? 3 Takeaways From Browns' Dramatic Win vs. Steelers

The Browns are now in first place in the AFC North after their win over the Steelers. Here are three takeaways from Thursday's game.

OCTOBER 2 • FOX SPORTS

Are The Browns For Real? 3 Takeaways From Browns' Dramatic Win vs. Steelers

HIGHLIGHT: Rodgers to Washington for the TD QB Aaron Rodgers rolls out to find TE Darnell Washington for the TD

OCTOBER 2 • STEELERS.COM

Rumbles for 67 yards in Week 3 victory Washington caught three of four targets for 67 yards during the Steelers' 30-27 win over the Bengals on Sunday.

Impact Washington's three catches in Week 3 were as many as he accumulated through the first two games of the regular season. He was responsible for the Steelers' longest play late in the fourth quarter, when he took a short pass from Aaron Rodgers and broke multiple tackles for a 47-yard gain, leading to what was ultimately the game-winning field goal by Chris Boswell five plays later. Washington was on the field for 47 of the Steelers' 62 offensive snaps (75.8 percent), noticeably ahead of fellow starting tight end Pat Freiermuth (37). Washington will take a 6-92-0 receiving line (on eight targets) into Thursday's game against the Browns, whose defense ranks in the bottom-10 in yards allowed to tight ends this season.

SEPTEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers must increase Darnell Washington's role (and decrease DK Metcalf's) The Pittsburgh Steelers must find a way to get Darnell Washington more involved in the passing game, and it may come at DK Metcalf's expense...

SEPTEMBER 29 • STILLCURTAIN.COM

Mike McCarthy expected bumps early in his first year with Steelers. They might be smoothing out

The Pittsburgh Steelers shook off two weeks of sluggish offense by piling up 411 yards and 30 points in a victory over Cincinnati

SEPTEMBER 28 • Associated Press

Bengals' revamped defense regresses against Steelers as Cincinnati falls short of 3-0 start

The Cincinnati Bengals' revamped defense faltered in a 30-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers

SEPTEMBER 27 • Associated Press

Aaron Rodgers outduels Joe Burrow as the Steelers edge the Bengals 30-27 on a late Boswell kick

Aaron Rodgers passed for 292 yards and three touchdowns to outduel Joe Burrow as the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 30-27

SEPTEMBER 27 • Associated Press

Starts in Sunday's loss Washington caught one of his two targets for seven yards in Sunday's loss to the Patriots.

Impact Washington played 37 offensive snaps and two special-teams snaps as the tight end started alongside Pat Freiermuth. The 25-year-old has become a staple of the Steelers' 12-personnel offense and is set to be on the field often as the team continues to try to defend the AFC North title.

SEPTEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Brings in both targets vs. Atlanta Washington caught both of his targets for 18 yards during the Steelers' 20-13 win over the Falcons on Sunday.

Impact Washington was listed as a co-starter alongside Pat Freiermuth on Sunday, though the former didn't see a target from Aaron Rodgers until the second half. Freiermuth led all Steelers tight ends with 49 snaps on offense, though Washington wasn't far behind (43) and figures to be regularly involved in 12-man personnel sets. The Steelers hit the road for a Week 2 clash against the Patriots on Sept. 20.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

McCarthy stays vague as Steelers sit Joey Porter Jr. amid back rehab, contract limbo

Mike McCarthy's first win as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers came against the backdrop of cornerback Joey Porter's absence

SEPTEMBER 14 • Associated Press

HIGHLIGHT: Washington throws down defender for the first down TE Darnell Washington stiff arms S Xavier Watts on his way to a first down

SEPTEMBER 13 • STEELERS.COM

Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. inactive for opener versus Falcons as back issues, contract talks linger

Joey Porter Jr. isn't getting a new contract before the season starts

SEPTEMBER 13 • Associated Press

Makes two preseason appearances Washington ended the preseason slate with one reception (on one target) for five yards across two contests.

Impact QB Aaron Rodgers and WRs DK Metcalf (undisclosed) and Michael Pittman (hamstring) didn't suit up during exhibition season, but Washington was among the regular members of the Steelers offense to see some work along the way. Washington is coming off a career-best 31-364-1 line on 43 targets in 16 regular-season games in 2025, and he's also logged between 497 and 560 offensive snaps in each of his three pro campaigns. Still, with Pat Freiermuth locked in to the top pass-catching TE role, Washington will need to take advantage of his sparse looks from Rodgers.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Mike McCarthy Admits Steelers, CB Joey Porter Jr. Remain At 'Impasse' Over New Deal

Mike McCarthy wants to work with Joey Porter Jr., but the Pittsburgh Steelers and the cornerback are at an impasse over a new deal.

AUGUST 24 • FOX SPORTS

Mike McCarthy Admits Steelers, CB Joey Porter Jr. Remain At 'Impasse' Over New Deal

Steelers invest in defensive tackle Keeanu Benton, signing him to 5-year deal

The Pittsburgh Steelers and defensive tackle Keeanu Benton have agreed to a new five-year contract worth $73.75 million

AUGUST 15 • Associated Press

Sees field in preseason opener Washington failed to see a target in Thursday's 28-9 preseason win over the Packers.

Impact QB Aaron Rodgers wasn't under center in the Steelers' exhibition opener, while the team's top two wideouts DK Metcalf (undisclosed) and Michael Pittman (leg) were sidelined, but top tight ends Washington and Pat Freiermuth both made cameos in the contest. Washington's receiving numbers took a step forward in his third NFL season, and with Jonnu Smith no longer on the roster, the 2023 third-round pick could see his volume tick up a little further after he caught 31 of 43 targets for 364 yards and a touchdown over 16 regular-season contests last year.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Broderick Jones is not worrying about his future in Pittsburgh, being healthy is enough

Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Broderick Jones is trying to stay patient as he recovers from a neck injury that cut short his 2025 season

JULY 30 • Associated Press

Rodgers says there's 'zero debate' 2026 will be his final season as Steelers open a new-look camp

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says there's “zero debate” that this season will be his last

JULY 28 • Associated Press

NFL tight end rankings quietly miss the mark with Steelers fan favorite ESPN's latest tight end rankings just disrespected Pittsburgh Steelers fan-favorite Darnell Washington, and the big tight end deserves recog...

JULY 10 • STILLCURTAIN.COM

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