The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line has encountered a major setback with the unexpected loss of veteran interior lineman Nate Herbig for the season. Herbig, at the age of 26, was poised to make a significant impact as the team’s starting center but unfortunately suffered a torn rotator cuff during the final training camp practice. This injury is anticipated to sideline him for the entirety of the regular season.
Herbig, who has spent most of his professional career playing as a guard, was transitioning into the center role, aiming to offer stability and experience to the Steelers' offensive front. Over his first five seasons, Herbig accumulated 61 regular-season games and 30 starts, proving himself a reliable and versatile option on the line.
With Herbig out of the picture, the Steelers have turned to rookie second-round pick Zach Frazier to fill the void at center. Frazier, thrust into the spotlight, quickly made his first career start during Saturday night’s preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. Despite being a newcomer, confidence in Frazier’s abilities seems high within the team. Experienced players and coaching staff are keeping close tabs on the young lineman to gauge his readiness under pressure.
In addition to Herbig’s season-ending injury, the Steelers’ offensive line is also dealing with the temporary loss of rookie tackle Troy Fautanu. Fautanu was injured during the preseason opener against the Houston Texans and is expected to be out for several weeks, further complicating the stability of the line.
Given these setbacks, the anticipated offensive line combination might feature Zach Frazier at center, flanked by veteran guards James Daniels and Isaac Seumalo. Broderick Jones, a second-year tackle, is also expected to play a crucial role. Meanwhile, five-year offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. is fighting to retain his spot in the starting lineup amidst this reshuffle.
On the topic of Frazier’s development, a notable remark came from Russell Wilson, who highlighted the rookie center's resilience and poise. "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 commented, underscoring the young player’s composure and readiness for the big stage.
This season presents a crucial test for the Steelers' depth and adaptability on the offensive line. Navigating these injuries will require not just tactical adjustments but an increased reliance on the younger players stepping into starting roles. How well Frazier and his fellow linemen manage to uphold the line’s performance will be pivotal to the Steelers' offensive efficacy as they embark on the upcoming NFL season.