The Pittsburgh Steelers began their second week of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on Tuesday, which saw the players get back on the field in helmets to get to work. Fans won't really be able to tell anything from OTAs, as it is mostly just players shaking the rust off while getting acclimated with new teammates and new coaches. Despite the practices being less intense than any others, injuries are always a possibility, and unfortunately Pittsburgh saw a player go down on Tuesday.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' tight end Darnold Parham catching a pass with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023.
Donald Parham Jr. went down on Tuesday with an Achilles injury, and it was confirmed on Tuesday evening that he will be missing the entirety of the 2025 season with a torn Achilles. Adam Schefter was the first to break the news.
Sources: Steelers tight end Donald Parham Jr. suffered a torn Achilles during today’s OTAs that now is likely to end his 2025 season. A brutal injury. https://t.co/fyipieiizU pic.twitter.com/Mxyxkqh8id
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 3, 2025
Parham was not going to be a huge play maker for Pittsburgh, but his stature and experience made him a valuable piece in the tight end room. He is more known for being a blocking tight end, but his size makes him a serious threat down around the end zone. He signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh during the 2025 offseason, but now he might never suit up in the black and gold.
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Steelers' Donald Parham Jr. hauls in a pass at OTAs during the 2025 offseason.
Steelers' Donald Parham Jr.'s Injury Could Pave The Way For A Trade
It has been reported that the Steelers are interested in Jonnu Smith of the Miami Dolphins. When it was initially reported, many fans were confused as the tight end room is fairly crowded, and the organization just extended Pat Freiermuth ahead of the 2024 season. Pittsburgh also has Darnell Washington on the roster who is a beast in the run game and is a threat in short yardage situations, so it didn't seem like there was much room at tight end for Pittsburgh to be adding any players. After the Parham injury, maybe it is a real possibilty.
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Dolphins' Jonnu Smith runs with the football during the Pro Bowl.
Smith had a career year in 2024 with the Dolphins, and he wants to be paid more money by the organization. If Pittsburgh were to trade for him, an extension would be agreed to beforehand. This would mean the Steelers would have two tight ends under contract for an extended period of time, with Washington also being in the fold as he heads into his third season. Smith could be a great addition, but it probably isn't a necessary one, even after Parham went down for the season.
Pittsburgh was reported to be in contact with Smith on Tuesday about getting an extension done, which might make some believe that the framework of a trade between the two sides has been agreed to. It is an interesting story to watch, although it doesn't seem like something the Steelers need to do at this juncture.
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