The Pittsburgh Steelers came away from the preseason mostly healthy, though the injury report throughout the week leading up to the season opener certainly wasn’t empty. The most notable name on the list in danger of missing the contest against the New York Jets was edge rusher Nick Herbig.
Herbig suffered a hamstring injury in the preseason finale. The injury was never described as serious, but hamstring injuries are always tricky. Herbig was listed as a limited practice participant throughout the week, leaving his status for Week 1 up in the air.
As Sundays' inactives rolled in throughout the league, Herbig was listed among them. Herbig won't suit up for the Steelers as Pittsburgh’s front looks to send pressure at ex-Steelers quarterback Justin Fields.
Pittsburgh Steelers pass rush goes without Nick Herbig for season opener
Herbig will have to wait to revise his role as a rotational pass rusher behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, though, it's understandable considering the fickle nature of hamstrings. The Steelers may feel comfortable letting Herbig rest his hamstring since the Jets will likely be relying heavily on the ground game.
Still, the Steelers will be missing out on key depth on the edge without Herbig. Heading into his third season out of Wisconsin, Herbig has proven himself to be a strong situational pass rusher with 8.5 sacks over the past two seasons, as well as six forced fumbles.
Without Herbig, the Steelers' only other active reserve edge backer will be fourth-round rookie Jack Sawyer, who had his struggles as a pass rusher during his first preseason. It seemed the Steelers somewhat tipped Herbig’s availability for the season opener by not elevating DeMarvin Leal from the practice squad to provide depth, but that ended up not being the case.
READ MORE: Steelers’ Week 1 game could hinge on stopping these 5 Jets
Again, the Steelers' pass rush likely won’t have a ton of opportunities to get after Fields in the passing game anyway. New York is expected to lean on their ground game behind running backs Breece Hall and Braelon Allen, as well as Fields. Still, when Fields does drop back to pass, he’ll do so without much experience at offensive tackle.
Left tackle Olu Foshanu is entering his second season. He allowed just one sack and 23 pressures in his rookie season. Rookie right tackle Armound Membou didn’t allow a single sack last year for Missouri, but he’ll be facing Watt on most plays, a tough draw for the rookie’s debut. Membou will be at a further disadvantage without Alijah Vera-Tucker next to him at guard, as he was lost for the season to a torn tricep.