With the playoff picture starting to take shape, the Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for a crucial Monday night clash against the Miami Dolphins - and they’re getting some much-needed reinforcements on offense. Tight end Darnell Washington has officially cleared concussion protocol and carries no injury designation heading into the matchup, a significant development as Pittsburgh looks to stay in the thick of the AFC playoff race.
Washington exited the Steelers’ last game against the Ravens after hauling in a 12-yard reception, one of just a few bright spots before he was sidelined with a concussion. He wasn’t alone - the Steelers saw multiple players suffer head injuries in that game, including offensive lineman Andrus Peat and defensive lineman Yahya Black, both of whom have already been ruled out for this week.
Throughout the week, Washington was limited in practice, but the final hurdle was clearing the league’s concussion protocol. Now that he’s done that, he’s set to return to a Steelers offense that’s been searching for rhythm and consistency - and his presence could help provide just that.
Washington may not have eye-popping stats this season, but his size, blocking ability, and potential as a pass-catcher give Pittsburgh another layer of versatility. He’s the kind of player who can quietly tilt the field - whether it’s sealing the edge on a run or giving his quarterback a reliable outlet over the middle.
Speaking of the quarterback, Aaron Rodgers has been working to get this offense firing on all cylinders. There were some hiccups with receiver communication a couple of weeks ago, but since then, things have started to click. Rodgers credited that improvement to one of his favorite themes: preparation.
“I’d hate to sound like a broken record, but it’s all about practice,” Rodgers said after the team’s win over Baltimore. “When you go out there and execute practice like we did this week, it gives you the confidence to be able to make some of those plays. Thought it was our most crisp week of preparation.”
That’s a telling quote, especially coming from a veteran like Rodgers. It speaks not just to the improvement in execution, but to the belief that this group is starting to gel at the right time.
The Steelers have shown flashes of what they can be - tough, physical, and opportunistic on both sides of the ball. But with the AFC North race tightening and every game carrying playoff implications, they’ll need more than flashes. They’ll need to string together complete performances, and getting a healthy Washington back in the lineup is a step in the right direction.
If Pittsburgh can maintain this upward trend - especially on offense, where timing and chemistry have been slow to develop - they could very well find themselves in position to make a serious postseason push. Monday night against the Dolphins won’t be easy, but it’s the kind of test that can reveal whether this team is ready to take that next step.
And with their big tight end back in the fold, the Steelers are just a little bit more dangerous than they were a week ago.