Photo: NFL on CBS
The Pittsburgh Steelers spent the entire off-season and training camp focused on improving their offensive output. Although the offense was kept out of the end zone in Week 1, the Steelers pushed a bit harder to improve in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL regular season against the Denver Broncos. Thanks to a smart pass and sure hands on the receiving end, Pittsburgh earned it’s first offensive touchdown of the season early in the game.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is known for building schemes that incorporate tight ends into the overall pass-and-catch playbook. Multiple tight end looks have popped up in the first two Steelers games this season; both of those games were victories.
On Sunday afternoon, quarterback Justin Fields led Pittsburgh’s offense down the field from their own 22 and, after eleven plays, capped it by throwing a pass that tight end Darnell Washington was able to secure while maintaining great posture for his career-first touchdown. It was also the first touchdown scored by the Steelers so far this season.
I've been waiting for Arthur Smith to get the #Steelers TEs more involved, and congratulate @_Dwfootball11
on his career-first TD! Hoping there are many more to come #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/jErKa45kYA— Christina Rivers (@3Rivers_Writer) September 16, 2024
The drive involved mainly rushing plays, including two scampers by Fields. On 1st & Goal, Fields was sacked for a loss of six yards. Instead of folding under pressure, a handoff to Najee Harris – who grabbed five yards back – kept the offense moving. On the next play, Fields hit Washington.
Many wondered why Washington saluted what appeared to be the crowd after the score. Here was his response:
Darnell Washington said the salute was to honor his brother, Ezekiel, who is in the Marines. https://t.co/8BLpJiF4Ps pic.twitter.com/vzWPCjx08Z
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) September 16, 2024
Washington, mostly utilized as a blocking tight end, finally got an opportunity to use his size in the end zone.
