Steelers rookie's starting chances dashed after injury timeline revealed

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly going to be without 2024 first-round pick and offensive tackle Troy Fautanu for a few weeks.

According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette , Fautanu is expected to be out two weeks with his knee injury, which was diagnosed as a minor MCL sprain, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Saturday.

Fautanu made his preseason debut on Friday night at right tackle but saw mixed results . While he was solid in the run game, the rookie struggled in pass protection, giving up two sacks in the 20-12 loss to the Houston Texans .

Fautanu had been getting first-team reps leading up to the exhibition opener, which put him in position to have a shot at a starting role. But given the fact that he'll miss the final two preseason games, his chances of starting come Week 1 are now out the window.

Instead, the Steelers will deploy second-year tackle Broderick Jones at right tackle and veteran Dan Moore at left tackle.