Credit: Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers center Nate Herbig is expected to miss significant time after suffering a torn rotator cuff, according to a report from ESPN. This injury likely opens the door for rookie center Zach Frazier to step into the starting role.
Herbig’s Injury
Herbig, who had been working as the primary center with the first-team offense throughout training camp, sustained the injury last week. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged the injury after the team’s preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills, mentioning that Herbig, 26, was seeking a second opinion on the severity of the tear.
Frazier, a second-round draft pick from West Virginia, started in Herbig’s place against the Bills.
“Nate’s got an injury that’s being continually evaluated,” Tomlin said when asked about Herbig’s status postgame. “I think he’s getting a second opinion. I want to wait to that. I’ll give you guys some information probably the next time we come together, but I was largely satisfied with the work that I saw from Zach.”
Depth Concerns
Herbig’s injury is a significant blow to the Steelers’ depth on the offensive line. Last season, Herbig was active for all 17 games, playing 156 snaps as a versatile lineman capable of filling in at multiple positions. He was expected to play a similar backup role this season.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported Herbig’s injury.
With Herbig sidelined, the Steelers will look to their younger players to provide depth. 2023 seventh-round pick Spencer Anderson and 2024 fourth-round pick Mason McCormick are the leading candidates to back up Frazier and starting guards Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels.
Frazier’s Praise
Frazier, who started 37 consecutive games at center during his college career, has already earned praise from coaches and teammates for his work ethic and physicality. He played one series with quarterback Justin Fields in the Steelers’ first preseason game, after fumbled snaps between Herbig and Fields during the first two series.
“Zach’s a hard worker,” Fields said Thursday. “He’s humble, doesn’t say much, but boy, he works. So glad to have him on the o-line and I mean, he’s a strong, strong boy.
“He’s smart too, so it’s great to see a rookie that young, that smart controlling where the protections are going. I’ll flip a protection, and he already had done it before I’ll even do it sometimes. So just seeing that from him, knowing how smart he is, is definitely a good thing to see.”
This report used information from ESPN.
