PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Watt's aren't the only family reunion going on in Houston on Sunday. The oldest of the Herbig brothers lives in Houston and he'll see both of his siblings play for the Steelers.
Nate Herbig will replace James Daniels (groin) who was ruled out on Friday afternoon. Daniels had played every snap since signing a three-year deal with the Steelers last year. He will start at right guard, between Chukwuma Okorafor and Mason Cole. It will be his first game after signing as a free agent to join the Steelers and then after the team draft his younger brother, Nick, who is a back-up outside linebacker and special teams starter.
"Approaching every week like I'm going to play," Herbig said of how he's prepared leading up to this opportunity. "Just always having that mentality of being ready when my number is called. That's just how I've approached it since I've been in the league. I keep approaching it like that."
The 25-year-old Herbig has played 47 games in the NFL starting all 11 in played in with the Jets last season. He is also reunited with his buddy and former Eagles teammate Isaac Seumalo, who is the starting left guard.
"I've been with Isaac three years in Philly," Herbig said. "This is my dog. He's one of my real good friends. He will probably be one of my good friends all my life. Stoked to be playing with him again. Everyone in the O-line room, I love everybody. A bunch of great guys. They call come to work and put their hard hats on."
Herbig said he doesn't know if he would be in Pittsburgh or in the league without Seumalo.
"He's come in very well," said Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada. "He's a tough guy. We were excited to acquire him and have him in our offense. I have great confidence in him."
The 6'4", 334-pounder has confidence that he will be able to step in with a week of practice and keep the momentum from the Raiders game. It was the most consistent offense performance and he thinks there is credit because of how the line feels about each other.
"The whole O-line room is tight," Herbig said. "I feel confident playing next to anybody out there. I feel like anyone is confident playing against any of the guys we have in the O-line room.
We are real tight."
Last season the Steelers played the same offensive line all year, that streak lasted until Week 4 in 2023.
