Steelers Activated Troy Fautanu for Patriots Game
Pittsburgh offensive tackle Troy Fautanu returned to the active roster following a recent ankle injury.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Football
The Pittsburgh Steelers activated offensive tackle Troy Fautanu for their game against the New England Patriots. Fautanu had been limited in practice following an ankle injury sustained against the Atlanta Falcons.
Why it matters
Fautanu's return provides a key boost to the Steelers' offensive line rotation. His availability for the matchup in Foxborough, Massachusetts, was confirmed after a successful pre-game workout.
The team officially cleared Fautanu for play following a workout with offensive line coach James Campen. The roster depth was supplemented by the elevation of Doneiko Slaughter and Travis Homer from the practice squad.
The players
Troy Fautanu
He is an offensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers who was selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
James Campen
He serves as the offensive line coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers and oversees player development and pre-game conditioning.
Michael Pittman
He is a professional football player who was ruled out of the contest against the Steelers due to a foot injury.
Doneiko Slaughter
He is a defensive player for the Pittsburgh Steelers who was elevated from the practice squad to replace Joey Porter Junior.
Travis Homer
He is a running back who was elevated from the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad to provide additional depth.
The details
Following a foot injury that ruled out Michael Pittman for the contest, the Steelers have reshaped their active roster to address depth concerns. Germie Bernard is expected to assume additional reps to compensate for Pittman's absence.
Timeline
Troy Fautanu was originally drafted as a first-round pick in 2024.
Michael Pittman was officially ruled out for the game on Saturday.
Troy Fautanu was cleared to start on September 20, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Fautanu's activation follows the precedent set by the 2024 NFL Draft selection of offensive tackles to shore up the line. His return impacts the Steelers' offensive consistency for the remainder of the season.
The activation of Fautanu stabilizes the offensive tackle position, while the elevation of Slaughter fills the vacancy left by Joey Porter Junior. These roster moves dictate the team's rotation strategy for the game against New England.
The takeaway
Maintaining depth across the offensive line is essential for managing the physical demands of an NFL season. Teams frequently utilize practice squad elevations to ensure adequate coverage when starting players face injury setbacks.
Further reading
For more updates on the team's depth chart and injury reports, visit the Pittsburgh Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Audacy.
