The Steelers began their preparation for Sunday night's game against the New York Jets, and once again the offensive line is a topic of conversation as far as the injury report is concerned.
After not having any offensive linemen listed with an injury last week for the first time all season, the line will be without rookie starting center Zach Frazier against the Jets after he suffered an ankle injury against the Raiders.
Tomlin said the injury is week-to-week, but he also doesn't expect Frazier, or linebacker Nick Herbig, to play this week. Herbig would miss his second game with a hamstring injury.
With Frazier not expected to play, second-year center Ryan McCollum, who stepped in when Frazier was injured, will make his second NFL start, his first with the Steelers. McCollum, who spent the last two seasons on the Steelers practice squad, played in 13 games for the Detroit Lions in 2021, starting one.
"What I've seen from him in general, I've seen a high intensity guy who's a heck of a communicator, who's mature beyond his years," said Tomlin. "I think that's why we're all comfortable continuing to operate the way that we operated a week ago. I think that's why we're excited about the opportunity that it is for him.
"There's always two sides to the injury coin, and I just always try to make a point to our team regarding it. We can waste a lot of time talking about the people that aren't at our disposal, the people whose services we don't have. We're doing a disservice to the capable men who are getting elevated, who are getting an opportunity to show that they're capable to put their hand in the pile and contribute. I was excited for (Jeremiah) Moon last week about his expanded opportunity. We had a couple of other guys who had some really solid contributions and expanded roles.
"That's football. Over the course of a journey, every man that sits in our team meeting room is going to have an opportunity to ante up and kick in and live out their dreams and show their capabilities. I respect that. But I respect that not only in concept. I respect that in culture. The things that we do day-to-day to position that to happen is a major component of it."
The line has dealt with more than their fair share of injuries this year, including losing James Daniels, Troy Fautanu and Nate Herbig to the Injured/Reserve List.
"We haven't had a healthy offensive line group at any component of this journey that is a 2024 season," said Tomlin. "So, we're not holding our breath for that. We're just simply doing what is required week in and week out to put the very best group out there. I thought we had unique depth in that position during team development. We talked about it a lot in this setting and I'm thankful that we have because we called upon it.
"We'll probably have our seventh collection of starters in seven weeks. But it doesn't change our agenda or our expectations regarding those guys. One man's misfortune is another man's opportunity. There's been a lot of guys who've displayed that during the course of this journey, and Ryan McCollum will just be the latest guy to get an opportunity to display that this week."
While the team will be missing Frazier and Herbig this week, the hope is a few players who have been out, return to action. Tight end MyCole Pruitt was a full participant on Wednesday, while Alex Highsmith was limited. Running back Najee Harris was added to the list, not practicing with a rib injury.
"Some of these other guys, we're going to watch their participation during the course of the week and let their participation be our guide in terms of their potential availability," said Tomlin. "(Cordarrelle) Patterson as he works his way back. Really optimistic about Alex Highsmith working his way back. (Damontae) Kazee, (MyCole) Pruitt or some others that will be getting at least a limited amount of work at the top part of the week and letting it pick up based on what transpires and then considerations from there as we go."
Quarterback Russell Wilson is no longer on the injury report, deemed healthy by Tomlin during his weekly press conference and in consideration for Sunday night.
"At the quarterback position, like I said last week, we were scheduled for Russ to work in totality. He did that over the course of the week," said Tomlin. "I got comfortable with his ability to display his health. Now it's about knocking the rust off. He did some of that last week. He is in consideration this week. We'll see where that leads us. Both guys at the quarterback position are scheduled to work (Wednesday).
"We're just walking it day by day, all geared toward putting ourselves in the best position to win the football game."
The full injury report is below.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Participation/Injury Report, Week 7
Wednesday, October 16
No. 22 RB Najee Harris (Ribs) - DNP
No. 23 S Damontae Kazee (Ankle) - DNP
No. 51 LB Nick Herbig (Hamstring) - DNP
No. 54 C Zach Frazier (Ankle) - DNP
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Groin) - Limited
No. 73 G Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No 81 TE MyCole Pruitt (Knee) - Full
No. 84 RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson (Ankle) - DNP
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No. 97 DT Cameron Heyward (NIR - Resting) - DNP
No. 99 DT Larry Ogunjobi (NIR - Resting) - DNP
New York Jets Participation/Injury Report, Week 7
Wednesday, October 16
No. 30 CB Michael Carter II (Back) - DNP
No. 4 CB D.J. Reed (Groin) - DNP
No. 8 QB Aaron Rodgers (Ankle) - DNP
No. 18 WR Mike Williams (NIR - Personal) - DNP
No. 83 TE Tyler Conklin (Hip) - Limited
No. 99 EDGE Will McDonald IV (Shoulder) - Limited
No. 78 OL Morgan Moses (Knee) - Limited
No. 77 Tyron Smith (NIR/Vet. Rest) - Limited
No. 55 LB Chaz Surratt (Heel) - Limited
No. 17 WR Davante Adams (Hamstring) - Full
