Knee injury latest setback for Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt

The Pittsburgh Steelers finally confirmed Wednesday that defensive end Stephon Tuitt is dealing with more than the tragic death of his younger brother this offseason.

Defensive coordinator Keith Butler said Tuitt has been bothered by a knee injury, and the eighth-year veteran is a “little bit overweight” from his recent lack of conditioning.

Tuitt, who hasn’t taken team reps in practice since training camp began in July, was one of three players placed on injured reserve Wednesday. He must sit out a minimum of three weeks.

The Steelers carried eight defensive linemen on the initial 53-man roster.

“His knee is bothering him,” Butler said after the team’s final practice before the Steelers return to UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Monday to prepare for the Bills. “I don’t know exactly everything about his knee. I just know it’s slowing him down right now.”

Tuitt hasn’t been spotted on the practice field for at least two weeks. During the training camp portion that was conducted at Heinz Field, Tuitt would run sprints in the end zone with outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who also hasn’t practiced while negotiations continue on a long-term contract.

For those early portions of camp, Tuitt did limited work in individual drills but ceased all workouts in recent weeks.

“He’s in all of our meetings,” defensive line coach Karl Dunbar said Monday. “He doesn’t come out for walkthroughs. He’s in all the meetings, and he hangs out. I see him every day.”

A few hours before Tuitt was placed on injured reserve, Butler sounded resigned to opening the season in 12 days without Tuitt, who had a career-high 11 sacks in 2020.

“We were hoping he would be ready to go, but you never know,” he said. “You never know how injuries go sometimes.”

Tuitt was among several veterans who didn’t participate in organized team activities in May and June. He was expected to attend the team’s three-day mandatory minicamp but was excused because of the tragedy that took place June 2 in Georgia.

Tuitt’s brother, Richard Bartlett III, was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Johns Creek, which is about 25 miles northeast of Atlanta. Bartlett, 23, was struck by an oncoming car as he tried to assist his girlfriend with a mattress that was strapped to the top of her car.

The driver of the car remains unidentified.

“I don’t know how I would handle when a mom watches her son die,” Butler said. “I don’t know if I could handle that. I’m not sure what to tell you other than his knee is bothering him a little bit. He might be a little bit overweight and what he’s dealing with his mother … We hope to get him back, and I think we will get him back.

“I just don’t know when.”

The Steelers have plugged veteran Chris Wormley into Tuitt’s spot on the defensive line. Wormley joined the Steelers in a 2020 trade with the Baltimore Ravens and appeared in 13 games, making one start, before hitting free agency in March.

Instead of testing the market, Wormley returned to the Steelers on a two-year, $4.5 million contract.

“I’m glad we got him and kept him,” Butler said. “It gives our young guys a chance to develop a little bit more.”

The Steelers retained every member of their defensive line from last season and added rookie fifth-round draft pick Isaiahh Loudermilk to the mix. Carlos Davis and Henry Mondeaux are entering their second full seasons on the roster and Isaiah Buggs his third as reserves.

Such depth is necessary given Tuitt’s uncertain timetable for his return.

“We feel good about what we have,” Dunbar said. “You’d like to add more when you can, but we have a good, solid group, and I’m happy with where we are.”