PITTSBURGH — Steelers heart Nate Herbig is predicted to be sidelined for a major period of time with a torn rotator cuff, a supply confirmed to ESPN, paving the way in which for the crew to start out rookie heart Zach Frazier.
Herbig, an inside offensive lineman, labored primarily at heart with the first-team line all through coaching camp earlier than struggling the harm final week. Coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged Herbig’s harm following the Steelers’ preseason loss to the Buffalo Payments on Saturday evening, however stated Herbig, 26, was looking for a second opinion.
Frazier, who performed in faculty for West Virginia, was chosen within the second spherical of April’s draft and began in Herbig’s place towards the Payments.
“Nate’s bought an harm that is being frequently evaluated,” Tomlin stated when requested about Herbig’s standing postgame. “I believe he is getting a second opinion. I wish to wait to that. I will offer you guys some data most likely the subsequent time we come collectively, however I used to be largely glad with the work that I noticed from Zach.”
Although Frazier was drafted to finally be the crew’s beginning heart, the harm to Herbig, who was lively for all 17 video games final season and performed 156 snaps, depletes the crew’s inside depth. As a position-flexible lineman, Herbig was the road’s high reserve final season and figured to play an analogous function this season.
The Pittsburgh Submit-Gazette first reported Herbig’s harm.
With Herbig’s harm, 2023 seventh-round choose Spencer Anderson and 2024 fourth-round choose Mason McCormick are the more than likely candidates to fill out inside depth behind Frazier and guards Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels.
Frazier performed one collection with quarterback Justin Fields within the Steelers’ first preseason video games after fumbles on the snap between Herbig and Fields through the first two collection. Frazier, who began 37 consecutive video games at heart throughout his faculty profession, earned stable evaluations from coaches and teammates throughout coaching camp for his work ethic and physicality.
“Zach’s a tough employee,” Fields stated Thursday. “He is humble, does not say a lot, however boy, he works. So glad to have him on the o-line and I imply, he is a robust, sturdy boy.
“He is sensible too, so it is nice to see a rookie that younger, that sensible controlling the place the protections are going. I will flip a safety, and he already had executed it earlier than I will even do it typically. So simply seeing that from him, realizing how sensible he’s, is unquestionably factor to see.”