Proper sort out Troy Fautanu hadn’t been in pads since Week 2 of final 12 months, however you won’t have identified it. Although he evaluated himself harshly, outdoors testimony signifies he held his personal yesterday in apply. And he did so whereas lining up throughout from T.J. Watt, no much less, the highest-best defender in NFL historical past.
Fautanu tore his MCL following his Week 2 debut a 12 months in the past, which ended his rookie season. He didn’t apply once more till this spring, to which he acclimated fairly nicely. Yesterday marked his first full-contact work since his damage, nevertheless, which is a big milestone. And he earned reward even from HC Mike Tomlin for it, which he makes use of sparingly for younger gamers.
“I believed he represented himself nicely right now”, he mentioned of Fautanu, additionally citing his work towards Watt. “As you talked about, he actually will get a possibility to enhance and enhance quick due to who he will get to work towards day by day”.
The Steelers chosen Troy Fautanu within the first spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft. Regardless of lacking time because of damage, they favored him a lot they rushed him into the beginning lineup. Certainly, they even deliberate to bench Broderick Jones, however Fautanu’s knee damage interrupted their plans.
This 12 months, with Dan Moore Jr. gone, the Steelers intend to maneuver ahead with their younger tackles. Broderick Jones is now on the left facet, Troy Fautanu remaining on the fitting. And being on the fitting facet means, as a rule, working towards T.J. Watt.
In response to Alex Kozora’s coaching camp observations on the day, Fautanu held his personal towards Watt. Although Watt beat him with an preliminary spin transfer, he no less than managed to recuperate. On the next rep, he prevented Watt from attending to the sting.
Given what the Steelers simply paid Watt, this may be alarming. Pittsburgh is hoping that Fautanu is simply that good. And contemplating that’s principally what we’ve heard from reporters for roughly a 12 months, which may nicely be precisely what they assume.
When the Steelers drafted Troy Fautanu, they didn’t have a lot guess work. He had in depth expertise beginning in school, even when he did that at left sort out. He did have a proper sort out background in highschool, nevertheless, and he seems to have transitioned nicely.
However now we have actually solely seen him in significant motion throughout a couple of dozen snaps up to now. He performed in a single sport, logging many of the snaps, then injured his knee. We’ll be taught much more about Troy Fautanu later this 12 months. Till then, now we have only a bunch of apply, and glowing reward from beat writers.
