Max Iheanachor gave the Pittsburgh Steelers welcome injury news after leaving Thursday’s training camp practice early with an upper-body issue. The rookie tackle isn’t expected to miss much time, a relief when a first-round pick exits a summer workout.
Iheanachor, 22, didn't practice Friday, according to PennLive’s Nick Farabaugh. Mike McCarthy expects him to sit out with a possible return Monday. McCarthy didn’t disclose the injury, though the short timetable suggests Pittsburgh avoided a serious problem.
A Monday comeback would give Iheanachor several practices to prove he’s ready for Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers. Pittsburgh doesn’t need to rush him into an exhibition, but those snaps would offer the rookie his first chance to handle NFL speed in a game setting.
Max Iheanachor’s quick return would help the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason plan
Iheanachor has looked good early in training camp, making the interruption more frustrating than concerning. As a rookie, his first meaningful benchmarks will come from how quickly he earns preseason work and whether the coaches trust him against starting-caliber pass rushers.
Tackles rarely arrive as finished products, so every camp rep helps with hand placement, protection calls, and timing to pass off stunts. Missing two practices won’t derail that process, although it could temporarily slow his push.
The Packers game would let McCarthy control Iheanachor’s workload without putting too much on his plate. A few series could give the staff tape before the preseason schedule moves along. If Monday proves too optimistic, Pittsburgh can keep developing him in practice and wait for the next game.
Brandin Echols also missed Friday after what Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac reported is an ankle injury Thursday. The 28-year-old cornerback left the latter portion of practice but remained on the field, watching from atop a cooler with a large wrap around his ankle.
Echols gave Pittsburgh useful production in 2025, recording 48 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, six passes defended, one forced fumble and one recovery across 16 games and three starts. His absence trims the cornerback rotation and takes an experienced special-teams option out of drills
The Steelers' annual Saturday Night Lights will proceed without both players, leaving Pittsburgh thinner at offensive tackle and cornerback through the weekend.
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