First Call: Rough injury prognosis for Troy Fautanu; ex-Steelers WRs score TDs

Tim Benz
Monday, Sept. 23, 2024 6:06 a.m. | Monday, Sept. 23, 2024 6:06 a.m.

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu blocks during a game on Aug. 9, 2024, in Pittsburgh.

Monday’s “First Call” has an update on Troy Fautanu’s knee that Steelers fans won’t like. Dionate Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster both scored touchdowns Sunday.

And next week’s opponent needs to get some things right at cornerback.

Feelin’ bad for Fautanu

Steelers first-round draft choice Troy Fautanu is done for the rest of the regular season.

At least.

That’s according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Fautanu suffered an injury in practice last week. On Sunday night, Rapoport posted that the right tackle out of Washington is dealing with a dislocated kneecap.

Rapoport says surgery will be necessary to repair some ligament damage associated with the injury. Although, a return for the playoffs isn’t being ruled out if the Steelers qualify.

Sources: #Steelers impressive rookie RT Troy Fautanu, who was placed on IR this week, suffered what is essentially a dislocated kneecap and will have surgery to repair the ligament damage.

Fautanu is out for the regular season, tho could return if PIT makes the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/scilIo6Eqk

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 23, 2024

In 2012, Steelers first-round pick David DeCastro also suffered a dislocated kneecap during the preseason. In the process, he tore his MCL but not the ACL. So the guard was able to come back by Week 14.

Fautanu made his first start and played most of the game in Denver last weekend.

Ups and downs

When the Steelers visit the Indianapolis Colts this week, they’ll face talented but erratic second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.

During Sunday’s 21-16 win, the Colts (1-2) beat the Chicago Bears (1-2) despite Richardson going just 10 for 20 for 167 yards with two interceptions.

Along the way, Richardson had a great throw and one of the worst interceptions you’ll see … on the same drive.

Anthony Richardson ????????????
pic.twitter.com/sjVvUR19IQ

— PFF (@PFF) September 22, 2024

Bears pick it off in the end zone!

????: #CHIvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
????: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/Ya6gUPOYnG

— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024

The Colts largely won because of Jonathan Taylor. He had 110 yards rushing, a 25-yard reception and two touchdowns.

So far this season, Richardson is completing just 49% of his passes for 193 yards per game, three touchdowns, six interceptions, four sacks and a passer rating of 55.9. He also has 117 yards rushing and a touchdown.

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Dalton to Diontae

Through two weeks, former Steelers receiver Dionte Johnson did nothing as a Carolina Panther.

To be fair, though, no one in a Panthers uniform had done very much. The offense had put up just 13 points in games with Bryce Young at quarterback.

The former first-round pick ended up getting benched for Andy Dalton in advance of Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. That seemed to fix a lot of problems for at least one week.

Dalton went off, completing 26 of 37 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns as the Panthers won 36-22. Eight of Dalton’s passes were caught by Johnson, to the tune of 122 yards and one touchdown.

A perfect TD pass from @andydalton14 ????

????: #CARvsLV on CBS/Paramount
????: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/2XXFJuVoYc

— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024

Over the first two weeks, Johnson had a meager 34 yards on five catches.

How do you do, JuJu?

Johnson wasn’t the only ex-Steeler to find the end zone. JuJu Smith-Schuster did as well for the Kansas City Chiefs in Atlanta on Sunday Night Football.

Smith-Schuster caught a third-quarter touchdown from Patrick Mahomes to give K.C. a 22-14 lead over the Falcons.

JuJu! @Chiefs extend their lead to 22-14.

????: #KCvsATL on NBC/Peacock
????: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/gk72osb85i

— NFL (@NFL) September 23, 2024

Smith-Schuster played in the first two games, but he was targeted just once and had no catches. He only had one touchdown last year.

The Chiefs went on to win by a final score of 22-17. Smith-Schuster had one other catch to total 17 receiving yards.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.