2 min read • June 30, 2022
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Before entering the NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth had no experience with concussions. However, in his rookie season alone, Freiermuth suffered two. His first concussion occurred on Nov. 28, 2021 and the following took place on Dec. 19, 2021.
Aside from the concussions, the only other major injury Freiermuth dealt with was a torn right anterior and posterior labrum in his shoulder in college during the 2020 season. That injury was not a concern prior to the 2021 Draft.
It is common for most teams to operate with caution when dealing with back-to-back concussions, according to our panel of Pro Football Docs.
For one concussion, the player is expected to miss one week; a month for the second and the year for three. Having one concussion makes the player more susceptible to more.
Because Freiermuth’s concussions occurred towards the second half of the season, our Docs will not be surprised if the Steelers’ medical staff counts his next concussion as the second rather than his first. As a result, the second-year tight end may be in concussion protocol longer than the typical week if he does suffer another.
During training camp, Freiermuth is wearing the Guardian Cap, the soft-shell pad over his helmet, to dampen the blow from any tackles. The NFL passed a resolution in March that requires certain players to wear the caps during training camp and the preseason to help limit concussions.
Our team of Docs point out that the cap’s increased friction could cause neck injuries though they are optimistic the caps will work out.
The former second round pick out of Penn State finished the year as the No. 12 fantasy tight end with 60 receptions, 497 yards and 7 touchdowns. Some have him listed as a potential breakout tight end as the Steelers lost wide receiver and top target Juju Smith-Schuster.
Fantasy Pros listed Freiermuth’s ADP as the No. 103 player overall and as the No. 11 tight end for this year’s fantasy season.
All of this is contingent upon the Steelers having success at the quarterback position. The three quarterbacks battling to replace retired Ben Roethlisberger are rookie Kenny Pickett, Roethlisberger’s long time backup Mason Rudolph and newly signed Mitchell Trubisky.
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