News broke that star Steelers offensive guard Isaac Seumalo suffered a pec injury in practice. The question isn’t if he will miss time, but how much time he will be sidelined for. Early reports are positive, as the team doesn’t think he will be out for multiple months, but more than likely he misses at least a few weeks and will probably head to injured reserve to heal up.
This will open the door for the Steelers to add someone to the roster to help fill out the depth chart and potentially even start. Fans have been quick to say that this should be Mason McCormick’s job to lose, while a select few have also mentioned Spencer Anderson as a worthy starter, but either could present some issues.
The fact of the matter is neither have started in the NFL, and there is little guarantee of their success. Even if they do play well, you want to have capable depth behind them as well. This list has a mix of everything, pure depth and players that could push for a starting job to replace Seumalo. Here are four interior linemen the Steelers need to be calling to add to the roster.
Steelers could add Max Scharping
Max Scharping has had an intriguing NFL career. A second round pick of the Texans, he made the move from college tackle to guard right away but never found his footing. He has bounced around the league since as a backup with minimal playing time.
That said, he has experience on both sides of the line and has the pedigree that the Steelers like in players. Assuming the team wants to roll with either McCormick or Anderson, Scharping could serve as additional depth until Seumalo is ready. He would be a low-risk flyer for the offense.
Steelers could reunite with Matt Feiler
Take everything I just said about Scharping but add some NFL success and a player who has played for Pittsburgh before and you have Matt Feiler. An underdog story, he carved out a depth role before becoming the right tackle for this team. He eventually shifted inside to guard and signed a big-money deal to start for the Chargers there for three seasons.
He spent last year with the Buccaneers, starting six games and displaying his usual steady play. Given his age and general lack of interest from other teams, Feiler could be added as a more experienced backup who can play either guard spot and could even kick out to right tackle in a pinch if needed. He makes a ton of sense if the team wants to start one of their younger options.
Steelers could sign Tyler Shatley
A name I just highlighted, Tyler Shatley is at the end of his career and has a lot of experience as a backup and starting interior lineman. He has seen extensive work at both guard spots and center. Frankly put, I think he would be an upgrade as a backup center, but he also adds the additional benefit of being able to play at either guard spot.
No matter what the Steelers do, Shatley makes sense to replace Ryan McCollum as a more experienced backup center. Want to just carry eight linemen? You certainly can. Or you can sign another name off this list and keep Shatley around as a flexible backup. Either way, he makes a ton of sense for this roster.
Steelers could start Mark Glowinski
As mentioned, it shouldn’t just be assumed that either McCormick or Anderson can step in and start. Assuming the team wants a veteran presence there, Mark Glowinski is available to be signed. He has consistently graded out as one of the better guards in the league and has a ton of experience at guard.
2023 saw him serve more as a reserve, and his play wasn’t as good as it had been in the past but adding him gives the offense a capable veteran to roll out for week one. He has started almost 100 games so far in his career, so he knows how to play. If gives the young guys a chance to continue to learn and the team a more proven option to fill in at guard right away.