The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line has been dealt a significant blow as veteran interior lineman Nate Herbig will miss the entire season due to a torn rotator cuff. The injury, which occurred during the team's final training camp practice, has led to Herbig's placement on season-ending injured reserve.
Herbig, a 26-year-old with six seasons of NFL experience, was in the midst of transitioning to the center position. Over his career, he has played in 61 regular-season games, including 30 starts. His absence leaves a notable gap in the Steelers' line, one that will now be filled by rookie second-round pick Zach Frazier.
A Rookie Steps Up
Frazier has already begun to showcase his potential. He took the field as the starting center for the first time during the Steelers' preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills. Despite the loss, Frazier's performance provided a silver lining as he demonstrated the skills and poise necessary for his new role.
Veteran quarterback Russell Wilson provided an insightful observation on Frazier's readiness, stating, "Anytime you're playing with a rookie center, you're playing with younger players, it's the eye contact in the huddle that you see. Does a guy blink or not? Is he fearful? And he has none of that." Wilson’s confidence in the rookie is a positive sign for the Steelers as they adjust to this unexpected change.
Challenges on the Line
The offensive line woes for Pittsburgh do not end with Herbig's injury. Rookie tackle Troy Fautanu has also been sidelined and will miss several weeks after sustaining an injury during the Steelers' preseason opener against the Houston Texans. The team's offensive line struggled notably in their first two preseason games, failing to provide adequate protection for quarterbacks Wilson and Justin Fields.
Looking ahead, the likely starting lineup for the Steelers' offensive line will feature Frazier at center, Fautanu at tackle once he returns from injury, veteran guards James Daniels and Isaac Seumalo, and second-year tackle Broderick Jones. Dan Moore Jr. is also actively competing to retain his spot in the starting lineup, adding another layer of competition and uncertainty.
Depth and Strategy
As the regular season approaches, the Steelers' coaching staff will be closely monitoring the health and performance of their offensive linemen. The depth and resilience of the line will be critical, given the injuries and the need to protect their quarterbacks effectively.
The shift in personnel may result in new strategies and adjustments as the team aims to solidify its offensive front. Ensuring that rookies like Frazier and Fautanu can seamlessly integrate into the lineup and perform under pressure will be key to overcoming the current setbacks.
The Steelers' situation underscores the importance of depth and adaptability within an NFL roster. As the team navigates these challenges, the performances of the veteran players alongside the emerging rookies will play a pivotal role in their success this season.
The coming weeks will be crucial as Pittsburgh fine-tunes its offensive line and prepares for the demands of the regular season. The resilience and potential of rookies like Frazier, bolstered by the guidance and experience of veterans, offer a promising path forward amidst the adversity they face.