Fautanu says he’s ready to play, working 1st team

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Back to full practice last week, tackle Troy Fautanu worked with the first team offensive line as the Steelers held their first practice for the Broncos on Wednesday.

Asked if he would be ready to play?

“I am,” Fautanu said after practice. “I am. Last two weeks I’ve been preparing myself mentally really more than anything. That’s where I’ve taken the biggest steps the last couple of weeks, making sure I’m preparing. I think I’m ready.”

“I know I’m ready.”

He wasn’t saying he would be the starter at right tackle. He made sure to say we would have to talk to Mike Tomlin as to if he would play on Sunday. He said he’s showing up and hoping to get the opportunity. He also has no issues with the knee injury, saying he’s back full.

He not only worked with the first team on Wednesday, but some with the second unit as well.

“Whenever someone is out for a little bit,” Fautanu explained. “We don’t carry as many people as we did in college, so I have to get used to playing both. It was good for volume trying to get back into it, being out a couple of weeks.”

Fautanu said last week being able to get two days of full practice last week really helped quiet any doubts he had about his knee or his ability to move around. Those two workouts allowed him to hit the ground running Wednesday.

“It’s tough missing three weeks,” Fautanu said. “It’s three weeks I wasn’t able to get better, but I was really locked in mentally so when I did get out there I was playing fast.”

Along with other voices, Fautanu talks a lot with Broderick Jones, who started 11 games at right tackle and then the season opener there. With him moving over to the left, he’s been able to pick his brain in case it’s the set-up for Sunday.

Missing practice on Wednesday, it’s not yet known when left tackle Dan Moore, Junior might return. He could be back tomorrow and shake up the line again.

Fautanu said being active and ready on Sunday in Atlanta and not playing really has him juiced up for the game in Denver.

We don’t know yet how it will lineup on Sunday, but the Steelers finally had their last two, first round picks on the same line, at the same time during a game week.