Steelers facing major offensive line questions as key starter misses practice

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line has been rocked by injuries in recent weeks. Most have come at left tackle, with Pittsburgh having to turn to Dylan Cook, their fourth option at the position, last week against the Miami Dolphins.

Cook played exceptionally well in his first career start. However, late in the second half of that game, left guard Isaac Seumalo left the contest with a triceps injury. He hasn’t practiced since, leaving his status this Sunday against the Detroit Lions up in the air.

It got worse on Thursday, as center Zach Frazier also sat out of practice after suffering a triceps injury of his own during the week.

Pittsburgh Steelers are experiencing a domino effect of injuries along the offensive line

If Frazier can’t suit up against the Lions, Pittsburgh will likely turn to long-time backup Ryan McCollum, who played sparingly against Miami after Seumalo left the game. Spencer Anderson would fill in at left guard, assuming Seamalo doesn’t play.

Fortunately, however, PennLive Steelers beat reporter Nick Farabaugh reported that Frazier told him he expects to play against the Lions despite the triceps injury.

While Pittsburgh holds out hope for similarly good news with Seamalo at left guard, at least Steelers fans can expect their talented young center to stay in the lineup. Frazier, a second-round pick last year, quickly came into his own as the Steelers' starting center after years of struggling to find Maurkice Pouncey’s replacement.

This season, he’s only gotten stronger. According to Pro Football Focus, Frazier has allowed just one sack this season, nine pressures, and committed just two accepted penalties. His 73.5 overall PFF grade ranks 10th among league centers, while his 74.5 pass blocking grade ranks fifth.

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Hopefully, Frazier is right and can suit up. Having a great center like him eases the growing pains this young offensive line has gone through in recent seasons. But beyond that, the Steelers’ jumbo personnel grouping could be impacted if Frazier isn’t available.

With Anderson filling in at left guard for Seumalo, McCollum can fill in for him when Anderson needs to play one of his many other roles in various formations. That’s not so easily done if McCollum has to play center for Frazier.

In the same breath, as much as Steelers fans want to see Frazier out there, it's just as important that he doesn’t make this soft-tissue injury worse ahead of a potential playoff run. Considering that this is the least important game on Pittsburgh’s remaining schedule, and it won’t affect their playoff positioning, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if they exercise caution with Frazier this week, even if he feels he is up to the task.