The Pittsburgh Steelers activated Freiermuth off injured reserve on Wednesday, clearing the way for him to return for Sunday’s visit to Cleveland. Freiermuth said, “That was frustrating, just feeling it in practice, a freak thing, I felt I was ready.” Pittsburgh’s passing game has mostly been limited to working outside the numbers to wide receivers George Pickens and Diontae Johnson and ranks 29th in the league. “(Freiermuth) is another (target) that defenses have to respect with the way he works in the middle and (does) different things for us to really help the whole offense out,” quarterback Kenny Pickett said. “It’s hard because (the injury is) one of those things you can’t really tape it up, can’t shoot it up with things to numb it,” he said. On gamedays Freiermuth found himself in sweats on the sideline, serving as equal parts cheerleader and mentor to rookie Darnell Washington and first-year player Rodney Williams, who were used almost exclusively as blockers, with Connor Heyward assuming Freiermuth’s role on passing downs. What probably needs to happen at some point over the next two months if Pittsburgh wants to play into late January is finding a way to put up more yards and points. Coach Mike Tomlin said his team needs Pickett and the league’s 28th-ranked offense to be more productive.
