Steelers first-round draft pick and rookie offensive tackle Post Gazette remains sidelined from practice following an upper-body injury, with head coach Mike McCarthy stating there is currently no timeline for his return.
Injury Status and Preseason Outlook
Iheanachor suffered the injury, which has been described as a neck/shoulder injury, last Wednesday. While McCarthy previously indicated the rookie would return to the field by Monday, Iheanachor did not participate in Monday’s practice. He did, however, dress for the session and watch from the sidelines, which McCarthy described as a good sign.
The absence comes at a critical time as the Steelers prepare to open the preseason this Thursday against the Packers. While the team has not provided official word on Iheanachor’s availability for the game, reports indicate it is unlikely he will play if he is unable to participate in practice on Monday.
Impact on Right Tackle Competition
Iheanachor, who played for Arizona State before being drafted by Pittsburgh in 2026, was expected to compete for the starting right tackle position. However, his inability to practice increases the likelihood that Dylan Cook will retain the starting job. McCarthy noted that Cook has been consistent and is having a “nice camp,” adding that Cook is currently further along in pass protection than in run blocking.
Mark Kaboly, a beat writer for 93.7 The Fan, suggested that Iheanachor may lack the time necessary to prove he can start. Kaboly stated that the team’s focus on winning may prevent them from giving a raw talent time to develop in real game situations, noting, You have to go with the guy that you know, which is Dylan Cook.
Offensive Line Depth and Roster Projections
Despite the injury to Iheanachor, the Steelers may consider keeping an unusually large number of offensive linemen. McCarthy expressed that he is not opposed to carrying 10 players at the position on the 53-man roster, citing the team’s depth at tackle.
The current outlook for the offensive line includes the following players:
- Roster Locks: Max Iheanachor, Dylan Cook, Troy Fautanu, and Broderick Jones (unless Cook or Jones are traded).
- Additional Candidates: Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Brock Hoffman, Gennings Dunker, and Ryan McCollum.
McCarthy noted that Hoffman and McCollum are capable of playing both center and guard. Broderick Jones, who is recovering from neck surgery performed in December, has seen more opportunities due to Iheanachor’s absence. McCarthy observed that Jones definitely picked it up
during the last two practices, though he reminded reporters that Jones is not yet 100% back from his significant injury.
Training Camp Observations
The Steelers’ Monday practice was interrupted by a storm, forcing the team to move from Chuck Noll Field to a new indoor facility after completing roughly half of the session outdoors.
While the offensive line deals with injuries and competition, McCarthy has expressed dissatisfaction with a rise in pre-snap penalties. These mental errors continued Monday, including an illegal procedure flag on rookie receiver Germie Bernard during a team period where the offense started on its own 1-yard line.
Other notable absences from Monday’s practice included defensive lineman Cam Heyward and outside linebacker T.J. Watt, as well as wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr.—who was injured Saturday—and DK Metcalf.
