Steelers first-round rookie offensive tackle Troy Fautanu is currently sidelined with a knee injury that he suffered in his preseason debut against the Houston Texans.
However, when he returns, he will be Pittsburgh’s starting right tackle, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
That is why he is focused on improving his mental game in the meantime.
“It’s tough,” Fautanu said. “Just making sure I take it day by day and making sure I’m not falling off playbook stuff, whatever install’s going in, making sure I’m ready for whatever opportunity comes to me.”
Fautanu’s first NFL action was full of ups and downs. He allowed defensive end Danielle Hunter to sack quarterback Justin Fields in the opening series, but once he settled down, he looked the part.
“I felt like I didn’t play my best game. It was a lot of nerves being my first NFL game, but at the same time, I still hold myself to that standard,” Fautanu added. “Just making sure the next time I do play in the stadium, that I’m ready to go.”
Fautanu has all the physical tools to be successful at the next level, standing at 6-foot-4, 317 pounds with an 82-inch wingspan. That’s why he believes the only thing standing between him and being great is his head.
“I think my biggest enemy, personally speaking, is just this thing right here,” Fautanu stated while pointing to his head. “Just overthinking too much sometimes, not going out there and letting my ability take over.”
Unfortunately, Fautanu won’t be able to practice staying out of his head until he is medically cleared.
He’s hopeful that time will come ahead of the Steelers’ Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, but he’s already missed out on lots of valuable reps.
Fautanu doesn’t want to waste his time worrying about that, however.
“There’s nothing else I can do but approach the challenge head up,” Fautanu concluded. “I can’t hope and wish that I had more time in the preseason, just making sure I’m preparing myself mentally more than anything. That’s kinda what I felt like held me back the first time.”
All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
