Steelers offensive player may have suffered season-ending injury

After losing 9-3 to the Buffalo Bills last Saturday, the Pittsburgh Steelers are winless in the preseason. It wasn’t a memorable performance, either, as head coach Mike Tomlin reminded his stars Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Additionally, their offense was short a man after center Nate Herbig suffered a torn rotator cuff during camp. The injury could cause him to miss the Steelers’ entire 2024 season.

Jaylen Warren also left the Bills game due to injury.

The new injury could propel rookie Zach Frazier into the starting role, a trial by fire as the Steelers look to get going for next season.

“Steelers center Nate Herbig, their projected starter, suffered a torn rotator cuff and is expected to miss significant time, potentially the entire season. Rookie Zach Frazier could now be thrust into an immediate starting role,” as reported by Ari Meirov on X, formerly Twitter.

Steelers’ preseason injuries and issues

No team wants to suffer injuries, even in the preseason, but no team wants it more than the Steelers, who have struggled against their opponents so far. Plus, losing in the preseason is one thing, but losing while playing two of your best players against the opposing team’s reserves is certainly another.

Russell Wilson and Justin Fields took turns at quarterback against Mitch Trubisky and Ben DiNucci, though both Steelers failed to gain any significant offensive momentum throughout the game.

The Steelers also set the tone by giving up three sacks on the first three offensive series. They didn’t really move the ball, gaining just one first down in that span, which forced Tomlin to have a mixed reaction to Russell Wilson.

The injury is another setback for the team as Herbig was a valuable piece of interior depth. The team had been looking to their final second-round draft pick, Frazier, as the eventual starter, but Herbig’s injury removes a key backup from the team.

Last season, he was one of the team’s top backups, and the team was hoping he would play the same role this year. Asked about his injury, Mike Tomlin was cautious.

“Nate has an injury that is being evaluated on an ongoing basis,” the coach said in response to questions from the media. “I think he’s going to get a second opinion. I want to wait. I’ll probably give you some updates the next time we get together, but I’ve been largely pleased with the work I’ve seen from Zach.”

After this loss to the Bills, the Steelers will face the Detroit Lions for their next preseason game. Can they finally get their stars moving and get a win before the start of Week 1?