Nate Herbig's Season-Ending Injury Adds to Steelers' Offensive Line Woes
In a significant blow to the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line, veteran interior lineman Nate Herbig has been ruled out for the season after suffering a torn rotator cuff during the team's final training camp practice. The injury has led to Herbig being placed on season-ending injured reserve, leaving a gap in an already struggling offensive line.
Herbig, a 26-year-old player with six years of NFL experience, was in the midst of transitioning to the center position. Throughout his career, he has played 61 regular-season games, including 30 starts, showcasing his versatility and reliability in the interior line. His absence will be keenly felt as the Steelers try to bolster a unit that has shown vulnerabilities in recent preseason games.
Rookie to the Rescue
With Herbig sidelined, the Steelers will now turn to rookie second-round pick Zach Frazier to assume the starting center position. Frazier made an impressive start to his professional career, showcasing his potential during his first career start in a preseason loss against the Buffalo Bills. Despite the loss, Frazier's performance provided a glimmer of hope for the Steelers' offensive line.
The trust in Frazier is evident in the comments from quarterback Russell Wilson, who highlighted the rookie’s poise under pressure. "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 remarked, signaling confidence in the young lineman’s readiness for the starting role.
Injury Troubles Pile Up
The woes don't end with Herbig's injury. Rookie tackle Troy Fautanu also sustained an injury during Pittsburgh's preseason-opening loss to the Houston Texans and will be sidelined for several weeks. Fautanu's injury compounds the problems for an offensive line that has struggled to provide adequate protection for quarterbacks Wilson and Justin Fields during the team's first two preseason games.
Frazier's integration into the starting lineup and Fautanu's eventual return are critical focal points for the Steelers as they prepare for the regular season. The projected starting five will likely include Frazier at center, Fautanu at tackle once he recovers, veteran guards James Daniels and Isaac Seumalo, and second-year tackle Broderick Jones.
Although the offensive line faced difficulties in the preseason, the return of key players and the development of rookies like Frazier provide a roadmap to improvement. The competition remains stiff, with Dan Moore Jr. actively competing to retain his spot in the starting lineup, ensuring that every player will need to perform to their maximum capability.
Monitoring the Situation
The Steelers' coaching staff will continue to closely monitor the health and performance of their offensive line as the regular season looms closer. Their primary focus will be to ensure that the quarterbacks are adequately protected and that the line can create openings for the run game. The situation calls for immediate attention and strategic adjustments to mitigate the impact of the injuries and to shore up any weaknesses that have been exposed during the preseason.
While Herbig's injury is a significant setback, the infusion of young talent and the resilience of the remaining veterans provide the Steelers with an opportunity to adapt and overcome. The eyes of Steelers fans and the football world will be on how this unit evolves and performs once the season gets underway, making it a pivotal storyline to follow.