Steelers could give rookie Mason McCormick a trial by fire after James Daniels injury

The Steelers' offensive line looks completely different than fans imagined it would after Week 4. Pittsburgh has already seen center Nate Herbig and rookie offensive tackle Troy Fautanu land on IR. Now the most consistent offensive lineman on the team is out for the season.

During Pittsburgh's Week 4 loss against the Colts, James Daniels went down with what was initially described as an ankle injury. It was later confirmed that Daniels suffered an Achilles injury -- effectively ending his 2024 campaign.

Now it's time for an unproven rookie to step up.

In Week 4, Mason McCormick made his first NFL start in Indianapolis. It didn't take long for the 2024 fourth-round pick to make the jump from left guard for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits to starting for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In his first full game on the offensive line, McCormick had his ups and downs. He showcased quality anchoring ability and the strength to move defensive linemen as a run blocker. However, he also had a few reps he'd like to have back, and the rookie admitted he was partially responsible for the ill-timed snap that resulted in a fumble late in the fourth quarter (McCormick taps center Zach Frazier to give the signal to snap).

McCormick was supposed to be a stop-gap starter only this year. With Isaac Seumalo set to return to the field from a pectoral injury, the rookie was going to move back to the bench where he could be an understudy of Seumalo and continue to develop. But with the injury to Daniels, that may not happen.

Steelers could plug Mason McCormick in at right guard

McCormick is a left guard by trade, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Because he started in place of the injured Seumalo at left guard in Week 4, it was Spencer Anderson who filled in at right guard when Daniels went down with the Achilles injury.

Though the Steelers may elect to turn to Anderson -- a 2023 seventh-round pick in his second season -- offensive line coach Pat Meyer may decide to give McCormick a trial by fire.

Entering Week 4, the Steelers elected to give McCormick a shot to start over Anderson. This stands to reason the team is higher on the rookie. The plan all along may have been to start McCormick at right guard next season when James Daniels leaves in free agency.

But the Steelers were thrown a curveball.

With Daniels suddenly out for the year, Pittsburgh could thrust McCormick into the right guard role much sooner than expected. If this proves to be the case, he will have to learn quickly.

Admittedly, it's scary thinking about a raw pairing on the right side of the offensive line with McCormick and Broderick Jones. This duo could be overcome with mental lapses and missed assignments if things don't go well. On the flip side, the mauling strength and potential combination of McCormick and Jones could develop into something sweet by the season's end.

Just like his first start in Week 4 against the Colts wasn't perfect, we can expect plenty of growing pains from Mason McCormick if he starts the rest of the way. But giving him a trial by fire and praying he can figure out how to play right guard in a hurry is the only hope this team has left at the position in 2024.