Football is a cruel sport, and whatever deities preside over its injuries have not looked fondly upon the Pittsburgh Steelers. Every corner of this roster has been touched in some capacity by misfortune. Quarterback Russell Wilson got his first start delayed by a month and change, the pass rush has rarely been at full strength, the list goes on. But nowhere has Pittsburgh been hurt more than the offensive line. Center Nate Herbig and tackle Troy Fautanu will miss the regular season. Guard Isaac Seumalo missed four games, tackle Dylan Cook missed time, and starting right guard James Daniels tore his Achilles.
Their final injury report ahead of Week 7 against the New York Jets confirmed the Steelers’ fears. They’ll be without center Zach Frazier for at least Sunday night’s affair after ruling him out with an ankle injury. He headlines Pittsburgh’s four injury inactives. DID NOT PARTICIPATE Center Zach Frazier (Ankle, OUT) Edge Rusher Nick Herbig (Hamstring, OUT) Running Back Cordarrelle Patterson (Ankle, OUT)
LIMITED Receiver Roman Wilson (Hamstring, QUESTIONABLE) Defensive Tackle Montravius Adams (Knee, QUESTIONABLE) FULL Running Back Najee Harris (Ribs) Safety Damontae Kazee (Ankle) Edge Rusher Alex Highsmith (Groin) Offensive Tackle Dylan Cook (Foot, OUT) Tight End MyCole Pruitt (Knee) Edge Rusher T.J. Watt (Rest) Defensive Tackle Cameron Heyward (Rest) Guard Isaac Seumalo (Rest) Defensive Tackle Larry Ogunjobi (Rest)
While the Jets defense hasn’t looked as imposing up front, especially against the run, losing another starter makes Week 7 a tougher contest. It’s no secret that the Steelers want to run the ball, relying on it as the engine of the offense and needing to protect quarterback Russell Wilson.
Losing Frazier makes that more difficult, although running back Najee Harris, fresh off an 106-yard game, was a full participant.
On the other side of the ball, Pittsburgh will get Highsmith back, making Watt’s job a little easier. That looms even larger with Herbig, another promising ancillary piece, missing the Week 7 nightcap.
With several veterans resting, much of the Steelers’ injury report will be active on Sunday, allowing for a sigh of relief amidst an otherwise extensive stretch of misfortune.
