Could Steelers take advantage of Cardinals weakness in defending tight ends?

Production has been mostly lacking from tight ends in the Pittsburgh Steelers offense.

If Vance McDonald and Nick Vannett don’t produce Sunday, they might never do so.

The Steelers’ next opponent — the Arizona Cardinals — are the NFL’s worst team in defending tight ends. Through 12 games, opposing tights end had 79 catches for 978 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Compare that to the combined stats for Steelers tight ends: 38 catches, 315 yards and three touchdowns.

Offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner said any lack of production from McDonald and Vannett is not because they are not part of the gameplan.

“They’re in pass plays just like all of the other (skill players),” Fichtner said. “I mean, sometimes the ball doesn’t go there, maybe out of coverage, or it doesn’t go there because we ask them to chip or help in protection, and things like that.

“They’ve been patient, and they’ve taken advantage of their opportunities when we need them most.”

This could've been a scheduled tweet:

A tight end scored a touchdown against the #Cardinals.

(It was O.J. Howard this time)pic.twitter.com/pvy0UA4apO

— Sporting News Fantasy (@sn_fantasy) November 10, 2019

Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee took advantage last week against the Cardinals with career highs in receptions (seven) and yards (107) and had his sixth touchdown in 59 career games.

Higbee joins T.J. Hockenson, Mark Andrews, Greg Olsen, Will Dissly, Austin Hooper and Ross Dwelley as tight ends who had season-highs in either catches or receiving yards — or both — against Arizona this season.

Considering the high-water mark for a Steelers tight end for receiving yards this season is 40 (by McDonald in Week 1), it wouldn’t take much for a season-best day from one.

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