The Pittsburgh Steelers’ center went down with an ankle injury against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6.
Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) calls out a coverage while waiting for center Zach Frazier (54) to snap the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images / Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
The Pittsburgh Steelers received good news on the injury front following their win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6.
Per FOX Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Steelers rookie center Zach Frazier did not sustain any structural damage to his ankle, and his availability will be determined on a week-to-week basis.
He remained down on the field for an extended period of time following a Najee Harris run in the third quarter. Trainers evaluated Frazier on the field before helping him to Pittsburgh’s sideline, where he entered the blue medical tent and later headed to the locker room.
Frazier was initially ruled questionable to return, though he did not play another snap after suffering the injury. He did not allow a single pressure against Las Vegas for a second-straight contest.
Fourth-year center Ryan McCollum replaced Frazier and logged 19 snaps while also not allowing a pressure. His only prior action in the regular season came on a single left tackle rep versus the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4.
Frazier has been a stalwart for the Steelers all season and performed admirably as both a run and pass blocker. A second-round pick out of West Virginia University, he has yet to allow a sack this year and has also not committed a penalty.
While there’s optimism that Frazier’s absence won’t be lengthy, Pittsburgh’s offensive line has continued to get hammered by injuries. Center Nate Herbig (torn rotator cuff), rookie tackle Troy Fautanu (knee) and guard James Daniels (torn Achilles) will all miss the remainder of the season while reserve tackle Dylan Cook (foot) has been on the reserve/injured list since late August.
Steelers Rookie Zach Frazier Leaves Game With Injury
The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie center was helped off the field against the Raiders.
Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) calls out a coverage while waiting for center Zach Frazier (54) to snap the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images / Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers were hit with a second injury during their Week 6 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders as center Zach Frazier stayed down on the field in the third quarter.
Frazier hobbled toward the huddle after a run by Najee Harris in the third quarter, but eventually fell to the ground. Trainers tended to him on the field before being helped off the field by two members of the medical staff. The injury appeared to be a lower-body issue.
Without Fraizer, the Steelers turn to Ryan McCollum at center against the Raiders.
Frazier, the Steelers’ second-round pick this past offseason, joins a long list of offensive line injuries this season. That includes his former starting center, Nate Her Big, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during training camp, and starting guard James Daniels, who tore his achillies.
Fellow rookie, Troy Fautanu, is currently on Injured Reserve with a knee injury and will miss the remainder of the regular season.
With McCollum in at center, the Steelers are down to their final offensive line backup in Spencer Anderson. Anderson is capable of playing all five positions, but the Steelers will hope they are not down to no reserves during the second half of the Raiders matchup
