The Pittsburgh Steelers understandably like to head into every season with a healthy roster, and the team has had trouble doing that as the 2024 season inches closer. Rookie Roman Wilson suffered a sprained ankle early on in training camp and hasn't been able to make it back on to the field. What is even more concerning is the offensive line, as the tackle spot has seemed to get bad news regarding injury week after week.
Pittsburgh already lost rookie tackle Troy Fautanu to a knee injury during the team's first preseason game against the Houston Texans. He struggled some in the game, and hasn't been able to get back to practice quite yet. His status is up in the air for the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons.
Now, Pittsburgh will be without one of its reserves at tackle to begin the regular season as Dylan Cook will miss time with a foot injury, which was reported by Jeremy Fowler.
Cook went undrafted during the 2022 NFL Draft, but was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a rookie. He didn't make a final roster until the 2023 season when he served as a reserve tackle for the Steelers. He was looking like he would make the team again in 2024 due to the injury concerns with Fautanu and Broderick Jones, but now Pittsburgh will likely have to look outside the organization for some depth at the position.
Cook could start the season on Injured Reserve, as the Steelers can designate two players on injured reserve to return during the regular season. If this is the strategy Pittsburgh uses, Cook won't count towards the final 53-man roster. This would save room for the Steelers to carry an extra offensive lineman.
Steelers Tackle Situation Is Faltering
The tackle situation in Pittsburgh was something many fans were looking forward too going into the 2024 season. A lot of excitement surrounded Fautanu, as well as Jones. The second-year tackle has struggled mightily throughout the preseason, but it has been reported that he has been playing through a nagging arm injury which has forced him to wear a brace. Both the injury and the brace could be hindering his performance, but it is something he will have to play through.
Fautanu shouldn't miss too much time, and may even be back for the season opener. The only thing that seems like a certainty for Pittsburgh, is Dan Moore Jr. starting at left tackle.
