PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Routinely in Steelers practices when veteran left guard Isaac Seumalo was given the day off or takes a rep off, the first player to replace him is Spencer Anderson. It doesn’t mean he will automatically take his place, but it’s the place the Steelers will begin.
We don’t know the severity of the reported Seumalo pec injury and whether the Steelers are looking for a short-term fix or something where they might bring in a player from the outside. This would have been a perfect situation for Nate Herbig. He would have slid back to guard and Zach Frazier to center, but obviously Herbig is lost for the year.
Anderson made the team last year as a seventh-round pick out of Maryland. He started at every position while with the Terps. As a senior, the 6’5” Anderson started 12 games at right guard and another at right tackle. His junior season, nine starts at right tackle and four at center. As a sophomore, Anderson started four games at left tackle and another at center and he played in 12 games as a freshman. His father played football at Howard University and he boasts of being on the chess team in high school having never lost a match.
While he played some tackle and a little center this preseason, Anderson said he’s primarily focused on guard.
“It’s definitely easier this year honing in on one position and getting the minute details out of the way,” Anderson said. “Really starting to understand one spot.”
While all have been through camp together, Anderson got to work with Arthur Smith and that offense at the Shrine Bowl two years ago. He said it hasn’t been a challenge adjusting to the offense.
Anderson said he belongs in the NFL and despite his versatility, guard is his spot. It appears he’ll get the first opportunity to replace Seumalo, if he indeed misses time. Next up would be rookie guard Mason McCormick.
Two years ago, the Steelers offensive line played every snap together. Last year they lost tackle Dan Moore briefly and tackle Chukwuma Okorafor, replaced Chuks permanently with first-round pick Broderick Jones.
Already between last season and this, the Steelers released Okorafor and two-year starting center Mason Cole. Now rookie Frazier will start at center, potentially Anderson for Seumalo and 2024 first-round pick Troy Fautanu will eventually work into the mix.
The season hasn’t started and there have already been numerous combinations. They liked their depth, albeit young, coming into camp. It’s being tested right away.