Pittsburgh Steelers Tight End Injures Knee

The Pittsburgh Steelers came within a last-minute field goal by the Miami Dolphins of earning the AFC's final wildcard spot, but it's possible it was for the best. The Steelers lost their star tight end Pat Freiermuth to a knee injury in their Week 18 game against the Cleveland Brown, and he did not return.

#Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth sustained a knee injury and is OUT for the remainder of today's game.

— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) January 8, 2023

Freiermuth failed to nab either of his two targets in the Steelers' 28-14 win over the Cleveland Browns. He'll end his season with 63 receptions for 732 yards and two touchdowns. Hopefully, his injury isn't so severe it will interfere with his offseason or the 2023 season.

In order to earn the AFC's final wildcard, the Steelers entered today's game needing a win over the Browns, a Buffalo Bills win over the New England Patriots, and a New York Jets win over the Miami Dolphins. The Steelers and Bills took care of business, but the Dolphins topped the Jets 11-6 thanks to a last-minute field goal to steal the seven seed. The Jets absorbed a safety on their desperate final play.

The Steelers will end their season a respectable 9-8 in the first year following the retirement of long-time franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. It is head coach Mike Tomlin's 12th straight season without a losing record, the most to open a career in NFL history.

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