Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington made a pivotal 47-yard gain in Week 3 that sparked his team's offense and energized the sideline.
The 6-foot-7, 264-pound tight end caught three passes for 67 yards, matching his reception total from the first two regular-season games combined.
His crucial fourth-quarter play came on a short pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, breaking multiple tackles to set up a game-winning field goal by Chris Boswell five plays later.
Washington logged 47 of the Steelers' 62 offensive snaps, a 75.8 percent share that surpassed fellow starting tight end Pat Freiermuth.
Through three games, Washington holds a 6-92-0 receiving line on eight targets.
Teammates Celebrate Washington's Physical Style
On The Christian Kuntz Podcast, Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz described the intense enthusiasm Washington creates when he has the football.
"I can't even begin to describe the pure joy on our sideline when he gets the football," Kuntz said.
"And the pure joy in the stadium is just unbelievable."
Drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Georgia, Washington has established himself as a dominant physical force.
Beyond his run-blocking reputation, his size creates mismatches for smaller defensive backs in the open field.
Kuntz added that watching defenders try to tackle the towering tight end provides lighthearted motivation for the bench.
"This dude, he's just barreling, like punishing people, and we're, everyone's just looking, giggling," Kuntz said. "Like it's unbelievable, dude.
What would you do? I'm not tackling him."
In the same matchup, Rodgers finished 19 of 34 for 292 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, while wide receiver Wilson caught three passes for 60 yards and a score.
Boswell converted all three field-goal attempts and three extra points to seal the 30-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Steelers prepare for a Thursday matchup against the Cleveland Browns, whose defense ranks in the bottom ten in yards allowed to tight ends this season.
