Fautanu DNP Wednesday With Ankle Injury

Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Troy Fautanu did not practice Wednesday with an ankle injury, landing on the first Week 2 injury report ahead of Sunday's trip to face the New England Patriots. Behind the Steel Curtain and Still Curtain both tracked the official participation list as three new names joined Pittsburgh's board and Foxborough started to come into view.

Fautanu briefly left the Steelers' season-opening win over the Atlanta Falcons, then returned to the game. That midgame bounce-back is why Wednesday's DNP reads as a caution flag more than a season wreck so far, but left tackle is still the position you do not shrug at in September when the calendar flips to a road division-style test.

Who else hit the report

Tight end Darnell Washington missed practice for personal reasons. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was limited with a foot injury. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was limited with a non-injury-related conditioning designation after seeking an extension before the season, a subplot that now sits next to the ankle note on the same sheet.

Across the ball, New England got a full practice from running back TreVeyon Henderson after he missed Week 1 with an ankle injury. That is the other side of the Week 2 spreadsheet Steelers fans should watch, because a healthier Patriots backfield changes how Pittsburgh wants to protect and how it wants to set the edge.

Sunday is Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. ET in Foxborough. Thursday and Friday practices will decide whether Fautanu is full, limited, or heading toward a gameday inactive. One Wednesday DNP after a Week 1 in-game return is not the same as a multi-week stamp.

What to watch into Friday

If Fautanu stays limited, Pittsburgh's protection plan against New England's front gets messier for the starting quarterback and the edge of the run game. If he ramps back to full by Friday, Wednesday becomes a maintenance day in the rearview and the offensive line conversation quiet downs.

Fantasy managers with Steelers skill pieces should watch the OL participation first, then Pittman's foot. Do not invent an IR move from one Wednesday DNP after Fautanu already returned in Week 1. Do have a pivot ready if Friday's designations say "out" or "doubtful."

The sourced stamp is ankle, DNP, Week 2 at the Patriots. Check the next two practice reports before you panic-trade the left tackle narrative or overreact in DFS builds.

Ankle day off. Foxborough on Sunday. Watch Thursday.