Pittsburgh Steelers rookie offensive tackle Max Iheanachor remains sidelined with an unyielding upper-body injury as training camp reaches Day 10. Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed no timeline for his return, leaving Dylan Cook holding the starting right tackle job ahead of Thursday’s preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers.
Max Iheanachor’s Injury Status and the Right Tackle Battle
When first-round draft pick Max Iheanachor suffered a neck and shoulder injury during practice last week, head coach Mike McCarthy indicated he expected the rookie back by Monday. That return did not materialize. Although Iheanachor dressed for practice on Monday at Chuck Noll Field, he did not participate, and the team has provided no timeline for his return.
The extended absence leaves the first-round choice in a difficult spot. Selected out of Arizona State after a draft-night maneuver by the Philadelphia Eagles disrupted Pittsburgh’s initial board plans, Iheanachor entered camp behind Dylan Cook on the depth chart. Beat writer Mark Kaboly noted that time is running short for the raw rookie to prove himself, explaining that the franchise intends to compete and cannot afford a prolonged learning curve during live games.
“My issue with Iheanachor, is there enough time? You gotta get off the bus ready to go. Because if you waste a week or you warm up to it, you just can’t go with him. You have to go with the guy that you know, which is Dylan Cook.”
Dylan Cook Secures the Advantage as Preseason Nears
With Iheanachor watching from the sidelines, Dylan Cook has solidified his grip on the starting right tackle spot. McCarthy praised the veteran lineman’s progress during camp as consistent and encouraging.
McCarthy noted that Cook remains further along in his pass protection than his run blocking, a common hurdle for linemen adjusting to pads. Iheanachor’s absence has simultaneously created valuable reps for Broderick Jones, who is working his way back from December neck surgery.
“I thought Broderick picked it up the last two practices. We had a conversation about his ability to play both left and right, but you’ve got to remember he’s coming back from a significant injury. He’s not 100% back. But I thought he definitely picked it up the last two practices.”
Roster Projections and Offensive Line Depth
Despite the injuries, the depth at tackle could prompt the coaching staff to keep 10 offensive linemen on the final 53-man roster. Locks for the group include Iheanachor, Cook, Jones, and Troy Fautanu, alongside interior pieces Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Brock Hoffman, and Gennings Dunker. Dunker, a third-round selection, has drawn praise for his powerful run blocking at the line of scrimmage.
The competition extends to the quarterback room, where second-year signal-caller Will Howard is preparing for his NFL debut. Howard missed all three preseason games last summer after injuring his right hand during an early August practice. I’m so fired up
Howard said, noting that he is ready to treat the preseason opener as real football after more than a year without live game reps.
Veteran Absences and Practice Disruptions
Monday’s session featured several notable absences as McCarthy granted veteran rest days following Sunday’s scheduled break. T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, and wide receivers DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. sat out. Pittman sustained an injury on Saturday, while the others received veteran maintenance days. Reserves Nick Herbig and Keeanu Benton stepped in with the starters, while Max Hurleman and Skowrenek took early first-team reps at wide receiver.
Coaches also grappled with ongoing mental errors. Yellow flags appeared frequently as officials monitored practice, with pre-season penalties continuing to draw the ire of the staff. An early illegal procedure penalty by rookie receiver Germie Bernard highlighted the type of avoidable mistakes coaches hope to clean up.
Weather Interruptions and the Week Ahead
Mother Nature brought a sudden halt to outdoor drills when a severe storm rolled across Chuck Noll Field midway through the morning. The team quickly relocated operations to the campus’s new indoor facility to finish the workout.
The squad now turns its attention to Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Packers. With joint practices and preseason matchups arriving fast, the coaching staff faces critical evaluation windows to determine whether raw rookies can accelerate their development in time to contribute immediately.
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