Healthy Darnell Washington Big Part of Steelers Future Plans
INDIANAPOLIS —Don’t expect there to be any residual effects with Darnell Washington’s arm injury. The massive Pittsburgh Steelers tight end will be alright.
Steelers general manager Omar Khan spoke about Washington at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday. The 6-foot-7 weapon is someone the team wants “long term.”
“His arm’s fine by the way. It should be no restrictions, no issues,” Khan said. “It’s just him, who he is, and I expect him to get even better. And he had more opportunities, too.”
Washington posted career-highs in receptions (31) and receiving yards (364) last season, earning glowing reviews from the likes of Aaron Rodgers and tight end legend Rob Gronkowski .
“Every time he catches the ball for the Pittsburgh Steelers, I’m so intrigued,” Gronkowski said in December. “I just cheer him on so much because I love seeing him run someone over and just how big and nimble he is for how big he is. Over 300 pounds. I mean, he’s not that fast and he’s not going to produce a crazy amount But whenever he does catch the ball, I’m just so in love with it.”
Washington suffered the forearm injury, which required surgery, while being tackled during the team’s Week 16 loss to the Cleveland Browns .
Washington is set to be an unrestricted free agent next offseason. The Steelers already dished out a four-year, $48.4 million deal to Pat Freiermuth two years ago. That won’t stop Khan from keeping Washington around, as well.
“We’re in good cap shape, so we have the flexibility to maybe do some things that might not be normal in people’s eyes, but we have that flexibility,” Khan said. “So the key is just keep as many of our good players under contract and locking ’em up. That’s important. I really believe we have a good young nucleus of guys that are deserving of second contracts.”
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Indianapolis.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Healthy Darnell Washington Big Part of Steelers Future Plans
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