DARNELL WASHINGTON NEWS

Role grows in 2024 Washington secured 19 of 25 targets for 200 yards and a touchdown over 17 regular-season appearances with the Steelers in 2024.

Impact Washington's production improved slightly in 2024 after he secured seven of 10 targets for 61 yards over 17 regular-season appearances as a rookie last year. However, the 23-year-old wasn't a reliable fantasy option, recording double-digit receiving yards in just six appearances and being held without a catch in four of the final five games of the regular season. Pat Freiermuth signed a four-year contract extension with the Steelers ahead of the 2024 season, and as long as he remains healthy next season, it seems unlikely that Washington will have much fantasy potential.

JANUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Darnell Washington Sparks Steelers-Eagles Fight With Fierce Block on Darius Slay Straight out of ‘The Blindside.’

DECEMBER 15, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Racks up three catches in defeat Washington secured all three of his targets for 14 yards during Thursday's 24-19 loss to the Browns.

Impact Washington recorded a season-high 42 receiving yards in last week's win over Baltimore, and he tallied three receptions in Thursday's Week 12 matchup against Cleveland, his second-highest mark of the season. Although he wasn't very efficient with his catches, he's now been targeted at least three times in each of Pittsburgh's three games since the team's Week 9 bye.

NOVEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Logs four catches in victory Washington secured all four of his targets for 36 yards during Sunday's 37-15 win over the Jets.

Impact Washington found plenty of success under new starting quarterback Russell Wilson on Sunday, tallying career-high marks in receptions and receiving yards. While Washington had an encouraging performance Sunday and could establish more value if he can maintain a connection with Wilson, the second-year tight end has secured 10 of 11 targets for 91 yards and a touchdown over his first seven appearances of the season, so he hasn't been a very reliable fantasy option.

OCTOBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Logs four catches in victory Washington secured all four of his targets for 36 yards during Sunday's 37-15 win over the Jets.

Impact Washington found plenty of success under new starting quarterback Russell Wilson on Sunday, tallying career-high marks in receptions and receiving yards. While Washington had an encouraging performance Sunday and could establish more value if he can maintain a connection with Wilson, the second-year tight end has secured 10 of 11 targets for 91 yards and a touchdown over his first seven appearances of the season, so he hasn't been a very reliable fantasy option.

OCTOBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Darnell Washington showing why Steelers need to get him more involved | Sporting News Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington has made some impressive plays early on in the 2024 season, with his best coming in Week 4...

OCTOBER 4, 2024 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

VIDEO: Steelers' Darnell Washington's Big Play Darnell Washington’s crucial 2nd-and-9 catch set up a key drive for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but a fumble at the goal line cut their momentu...

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • THENEWSTRIBUNE.COM

Logs two receptions in Week 4 Washington secured both of his targets for 31 yards during Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Colts.

Impact Washington didn't have more than five receiving yards in any of the first three games of the season, but he tallied double-digit yards on both of his receptions during Sunday's defeat. He still didn't see as much work as starting tight end Pat Freiermuth, who secured five of seven targets for 57 yards and a touchdown. Although Washington looked good when he had the ball in his hands Sunday, he hasn't yet carved out a high enough target share to make him a reliable fantasy option.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Las Vegas' Darnell Washington honors brother after scoring touchdown with Steelers When Darnell Washington caught a short touchdown pass Sunday for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Denver Broncos, he quickly saluted in the di...

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • LASVEGASSUN.COM

Darnell Washington Has Arrived The Pittsburgh Steelers are doubling down on the ground game, and tight end Darnell Washington is a significant piece of that puzzle.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Minimal production in win Washington secured his lone target for five yards during Sunday's 18-10 win over the Falcons.

Impact Although Washington was on the field for 54 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps Sunday, he didn't see much work in the passing game. Despite appearing in all 17 games during his rookie season in 2023, he didn't have more than one reception in any outing and could struggle to see many targets once again this year, especially if starting tight end Pat Freiermuth stays healthy.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play Week 1 Washington (knee) practiced in full Friday and does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's matchup against the Falcons.

Impact Washington popped up on Thursday's injury report as a non-participant due to a knee issue, but he now looks fully healthy for Week 1. The depth tight end figures to mostly contribute as a blocker on offense Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Absent Thursday Washington (knee) did not practice Thursday.

Impact Washington wasn't listed on the injury report Wednesday, so this is a new issue for the second-year tight end. Connor Hayward and MyCole Pruitt would be in line for expanded roles behind Pat Freiermuth if Washington can't play Sunday against the Falcons.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Could see more opportunities In his second season as a pro, Washington believes that there's a "strong possibility" he can emerge as more of a receiving threat, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.

Impact In 17 regular-season contests as a rookie last season, Washington caught just seven of his 10 targets for 61 yards, but with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on board, the 2023 third-rounder is a candidate to see more pass-catching opportunities in what figures to be a more tight-end friendly offense in Pittsburgh. At 6-foot-7, 264 pounds, Washington has the size to continue to make his mark as a run blocker, but the Georgia product has some untapped potential as a receiver and should have an opportunity to demonstrate that more in 2024, while working behind top option Pat Freiermuth in a TE corps that also includes Connor Heyward and MyCole Pruitt.

MAY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Minimal production in victory Washington secured his lone target for eight yards during the Steelers' 34-11 win over the Bengals on Saturday.

Impact Washington's snap count bounced back to 29 offensive snaps Saturday after he played just 13 snaps last week, but his production remained limited, even in a comfortable victory over Cincinnati. He was the team's most productive tight end since Pat Freiermuth was held without a target, but Washington shouldn't be a fantasy-relevant player to close out the season.

DECEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers Hit Rookie Darnell Washington With Massive Bill The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie dinner got Darnell Washington good.

DECEMBER 22, 2023 • SUNHERALD.COM

No targets in Week 7 Washington didn't receive any targets during the Steelers' 24-17 win over the Rams on Sunday.

Impact After Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve ahead of Week 7, it seemed likely that Washington would be in line for an increased workload. However, the rookie played just 53 percent of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps, while second-year tight end Connor Heyward was on the field for 86 percent. Washington should continue to see increased playing time while Freiermuth is sidelined, but as Sunday demonstrated, that role may not come with a significant uptick in targets.

OCTOBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Another large workload on tap Washington is in line for a bigger workload Sunday at the Rams with fellow tight end Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) ruled out for the contest, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazett...

Impact Washington started from Weeks 2-5, but his snap share didn't surpass 50 percent until the Steelers' last game before a Week 6 bye. In the team's Week 5 win over the Ravens, Freiermuth sat out due to a hamstring issue, and Washington earned 70 percent of the offensive plays. Despite being a regular in the offense all season, Washington doesn't have much to show for it (a 10-yard catch on three targets), while second-year TE Connor Heyward boasts a 5-42-0 line on 10 targets. It remains to be seen when Washington will become more involved in the passing game.

OCTOBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers rookies Broderick Jones, Darnell Washington thrust into bigger roles as Ravens await While the Steelers try to work their way through a nicked-up quarterback, a mercurial running back who’s calling for a more physical approac...

OCTOBER 4, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

WATCH: Darnell Washington OWNING NFL's Highest Paid Defender in Rookie Debut Football is officially back, with the NFL season kicking off this weekend. It started this past Thursday night when the Detroit Lions narrow...

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

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How does Georgia's current dynasty compare against the most talented rosters in college football history? We break it down.

AUGUST 22, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Darnell Washington NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Odds and Props 2023

See current odds on Darnell Washington to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, with stats, player props and betting insights.

AUGUST 15, 2023 • Data Skrive

Steelers camp: Darnell Washington making progress, Joey Porter Jr. makes a big play Washington has been plagued by drops but scored a big TD on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Steelers seem to be preparing Porter for a big role.

AUGUST 4, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Darnell Washington Making A "Statement" Against Former DPOY The Pittsburgh Steelers’ fall camp has been covered with news of former Georgia players taking over at practice. Reports have shown Broderic...

AUGUST 2, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM