Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially placed tight end Donald Parham Jr. on the injured reserve list, ending his 2025 season. Parham suffered a torn Achilles in practice on Tuesday.
The injury to Parham partially explains the Steelers’ sudden change of heart when it comes to trade talks with Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith, who is seeking a new contract and could be made available.
The Steelers already have a solidified starter at the tight end spot in Pat Freiermuth, but with 2024 No. 2 Darnell Washington being much more well known for his blocking than his receiving, Parham appeared to be in line for a significant receiving role with the Steelers in 2024.
Parham, 27, spent the 2024 season on the Denver Broncos practice squad without playing a game. Before that, he played four seasons for the Los Angeles Chargers.
A 6-foot-8, 237-pound Lakeland, Florida native, Parham didn’t play football until his senior season in high school. The late bloomer played collegiately at the FCS level for Stetson, where he finished as the school’s all-time leader in receptions and yards.
Despite running a 4.68-second 40-yard dash at that size, he went undrafted coming out in 2019, first joining the Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins, without appearing in a game in his rookie season. After a stint in the XFL in the spring of 2020, Parham caught on with the Chargers that summer and made his mark.
In four seasons in L.A., Parham played in 47 games and made 23 starts. He caught 67 passes for 764 yards and 11 touchdowns. His best statistical season came in 2023, when he caught 27 passes for 285 yards and four scores.
With his long frame, Parham is considered an excellent pass blocker. Nagging injuries have minimized Parham throughout his career. He played a career high of 269 offensive snaps in 2023.
Parham signed a one-year contract with the Steelers, and is scheduled to earn $1.17 million in salary this season.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting for this story.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Place Promising Tight End on IR, Ending His 2025 Season
