Steelers top option to replace Isaac Seumalo couldn't be more obvious

It was just reported by Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Isaac Seumalo dodged a bullet and didn't suffer a season-ending injury. Normally when a pec injury occurs, that leads to a player missing a ton of time.

Luckily for Pittsburgh and Seumalo, the injury was a strain and not a tear. He will miss about a month of the season.

Injuries are starting to pile up on the offensive line for the Steelers during the early goings. They lost Nate Herbig (their starting center) to a shoulder injury for the entire season. They lost their first-round pick, Troy Fautanu during most of the preseason due to a knee injury. They concluded the preseason with Dylan Cook suffering an injury that will keep him out for a while.

Not only did the Steelers lose three starting-caliber offensive linemen before the regular season, but they also took a blow to their depth. It might make sense for the club to investigate external options to potentially help their short-term issues during the first month of the schedule. They have options out there if they want to go that route.

Internal options are the focus for Pittsburgh right now. Dulac also tweeted that there will be a competition between Spencer Anderson and Mason McCormick to figure out who will hold the starting role at left guard while Seumalo nurses his injury. Both are decent options to hold down the fort for the black and gold while they await the return of their star offensive lineman.

Mason McCormick should earn the Steelers job while Seumalo is gone

Between Anderson and McCormick, it would make much more sense for the Steelers to play their rookie. McCormick had a great conclusion to the preseason process. He is someone who projects to be a starting guard for Pittsburgh sometime shortly, potentially even at the start of next season. They could start their evaluation of him now.

With James Daniels departing in free agency, it might be the best time for the Steelers to find out if McCormick can play a starting role at a guard position before heading into next season with questions. Even though McCormick had a terrific preseason, don't discount the chance that Anderson has in this position battle.

He is coming into his second season in the NFL after surprising everyone by making the roster last year. The former seventh-round pick of the Steelers has shown that he can play multiple positions if needed which includes guard, center, and tackle. That versatility is great, and it earned him starting snaps at training camp while Seumalo got days off.

McCormick is the right guy for this offense heading into the season. He might have some growing pains, but he has been a stay-at-home guard more than Anderson thus far. Both did get looks at center, but McCormick will be better off at a certain position moving forward. Anderson might have some more NFL experience, but McCormick can push this team forward while Seumalo is out.