The Pittsburgh Steelers finally caught a break this week on the injury front, with a positive report surfacing on the status of rookie center Zach Frazier on Monday. After leaving Week 6 with an ankle injury, the rookie is considered “week-to-week” with the injury and has avoided any structural damage, insider Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports shares:
Source: #Steelers rookie starting center Zach Frazier suffered an ankle injury on Sunday against the Raiders and is considered week-to-week. There’s no structural damage.
Frazier has started all six games this season and has posted an impressive 82.2 PFF grade. pic.twitter.com/srXy4vd5lS
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 14, 2024
While “week-to-week” doesn’t seem like great news at face value, it is generally positive considering the string of season-ending injuries that Pittsburgh has suffered on the offensive line. They lost intended starter Nate Herbig with a torn rotator cuff, rookie right tackle Troy Fautanu to a knee injury and right guard James Daniels to an Achilles injury — all injuries that were season-ending.
Frazier has stepped into the starting role admirably this season and has appeared as one of the league’s up-and-coming star centers from the moment he stepped onto the field, showcasing the exact kind of grit and toughness the Steelers admire in the trenches, particularly in the run game. Frazier’s 82.2 PFF offensive grade ranks fourth among all centers this season, while his 84.1 run-blocking grade ranks fifth.
Backup center Ryan McCollum will start in his absence, having logged just a single career start back in 2021 for the Lions. McCollum played 19 snaps at center in Frazier’s absence in Week 6, allowing zero pressures in six pass block attempts.
