The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line has faced numerous challenges with injuries during training camp and the preseason. Among these, Troy Fautanu experienced a minor MCL sprain in their initial preseason game. This injury led him to miss the subsequent two weeks of practice and their second and third preseason matchups. Despite this setback, Fautanu returned to practice this week and is expected to be available for Week 1 of the regular season.
The situation took a more severe turn with Nate Herbig, the Steelers’ projected starting center. Herbig sustained a shoulder injury on August 11, which initially had him slated to miss the season opener. However, it was later revealed that Herbig had torn his rotator cuff. The severity of the injury prompted the team to place him on season-ending injured reserve on August 18. Herbig, who had been getting the majority of first-team reps at center during training camp, will be replaced by Zach Frazier.
Adding to the line’s woes, Isaac Seumalo, a key interior offensive lineman, exited Wednesday’s practice with a pectoral injury. There were fears that Seumalo had suffered a torn pectoral, which would require surgery and a lengthy recovery period, potentially sidelining him for the entire 2024 season. However, after further examination, it was determined that Seumalo had only strained his pectoral muscle.
Despite avoiding a complete tear, Seumalo is expected to be out for a minimum of four to six weeks. The Steelers are considering placing him on injured reserve to ensure he fully recovers. His absence will likely be felt over the first month of the season as he undergoes rehabilitation.
In the interim, the team will need to fill the left guard position vacated by Seumalo. Spencer Anderson and Mason McCormick are the primary candidates for this role. Anderson, a seventh-round pick from the previous year’s draft, is currently listed as the backup left guard on the Ourlads depth chart and is the leading contender to start in Week 1. Meanwhile, McCormick, a fourth-round draft pick from this year, serves as the backup right guard.
The shifting lineup will require adjustments and may impact the offensive line’s performance early in the season. The Steelers will rely on these emerging players to step up and provide stability as they navigate these early-season challenges.