The bad news just keeps on coming for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as starting right guard James Daniels is out for the season with a torn Achilles, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports. Daniels left with what was originally noted as an ankle injury suffered in the first quarter and was subsequently ruled out with the injury.

Daniels is the third offensive lineman to suffer a season-ending injury in just over a month, starting with projected starting center Nate Herbig in late August, followed by rookie Troy Fautanu ahead of Week 3. Starting left guard Isaac Seumalo has yet to play this season as he rehabs from a pectoral injury suffered in late August, though luckily, the injury is not season-ending.

Second-year OL Spencer Anderson came in at right guard following the injury, after having just lost the role at left guard to fourth-round rookie Mason McCormick. He was credited with one sack allowed on 38 pass-blocking opportunities in Week 4, per PFF, also allowing a pressure.

As it stands (pending the return of Isaac Seumalo), four of five starting offensive linemen for the Steelers are either rookies (Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick) or second-year players (Spencer Anderson, Broderick Jones), with the most experienced of the bunch being Dan Moore Jr. at left tackle. Despite struggling mightily last season, Moore has suddenly become the anchor on this offensive line, earning the second-highest pass-blocking grade on the Steelers’ o-line through four weeks per PFF.

The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate for Daniels, who is set to become a free agent in 2025. The Steelers did not plan to extend him even prior to the injury, presumably counting on their fourth-round rookie Mason McCormick as the heir-apparent. Undoubtedly, an Achilles tear will make navigating that free agent market a tricky proposition.