When the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted tackle Troy Fautanu and center Zach Frazier in the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, they anticipated having two rookie starters leading the way up front.
Things have (almost) gone according to plan. Pittsburgh lost Fautanu early in the year, but fourth-round rookie Mason McCormick took his place as the second neophyte along the offensive line, filling in for right guard James Daniels after he tore his Achilles.
McCormick and Frazier have largely played well, despite inconsistencies across the unit. That made the broken hand McCormick suffered in Week 18 all the more concerning. With a road date with the Baltimore Ravens waiting for the Steelers on Saturday, it’s hard to imagine overcoming the long odds without an advantage in the health department.
Fortunately for Pittsburgh, things seem to be trending in the right direction.
The team released the following injury report on Tuesday.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
- Defensive Tackle Cameron Heyward (Illness)
- Offensive Lineman Isaac Seumalo (NIR - Resting)
LIMITED
- Tight End MyCole Pruitt (Knee)
- Guard Mason McCormick (Hand)
FULL
- Receiver Roman Wilson (Hamstring)
- Cornerback Donte Jackson (Back)
- Linebacker Cole Holcomb (Knee)
- Defensive Tackle Logan Lee (Calf)
- Offensive Lineman Calvin Anderson (Groin)
McCormick was listed as a limited participant and suggested to reporters that he wouldn’t play if he is not capable of playing well. If he does play, it won’t be with a cast.
“It’s already feeling a lot better, so I’m really optimistic,” he said on Tuesday.
Needless to say, having as many healthy starters as possible is important in mitigating the talent gap between these two rosters. Despite Pittsburgh typically playing Baltimore close – and already beating them earlier this season – the Steelers are 10-point underdogs for the Wild Card Round.
McCormick’s athleticism has helped him accelerate his transition to the league and take on a starting job in the process, flashing more frequently in pass protection.
He’ll presumably carry a “questionable” tag later in the week and seems to have the most uncertain fate for Saturday – a testament to how healthy the rest of the team is at the end of a 17-game marathon.
Backup lineman Spencer Anderson will likely get the green light if McCormick isn’t healthy enough for his playoff debut.
