The Pittsburgh Steelers will be missing a significant player for their opening game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Head coach Mike Tomlin announced that starting left guard Isaac Seumalo will sit out Sunday due to a pectoral injury. Thankfully, Tomlin believes this won’t be a long-term setback.
Additional news: Steelers Rumored to Have Missed Out on Trade with Brandon Aiyuk Due to Salary Concerns
“We received positive news concerning his pec injury,” Tomlin shared with reporters. “He’s being categorized as week-to-week, and we’re hopeful for a swift comeback.”
Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
Seumalo, 30, joined the Steelers last year on a three-year, $24 million contract and has been solid, starting all 17 games in the previous season.
Before Pittsburgh, he spent seven years with the Philadelphia Eagles, who selected him in the 2016 NFL Draft. Seumalo played in 60 games during his time in Philadelphia.
With Seumalo sidelined, second-year player Spencer Anderson will step up for his first career start. Anderson was drafted in the seventh round last year and saw action in eight games during his rookie season. Tomlin appreciates Anderson’s adaptability.
“His versatility was key for him to stay here, but he’ll need to specialize over time,” Tomlin remarked, comparing Anderson’s development to that of former Steelers tackle Kelvin Beachum.
While Seumalo’s absence is noteworthy, Tomlin did provide some optimism regarding other injured players.
He noted that running back Jaylen Warren, rookies Roman Wilson and Troy Fautanu, along with defensive back Cory Trice all participated in practice on Monday. Tomlin expressed hope for their return as they recover from injuries.
“We’ve got some guys dealing with short-term injuries, but those mentioned seem to be progressing well and are moving toward being available,” Tomlin added. “We’ll monitor their health and performance throughout the week, especially since some lack extensive experience.”