PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There seemed to be some good injury news Tuesday for the Steelers even with a player who will not play on Sunday.
Head coach Mike Tomlin announced fewer players already listed as out against the Jets. Outside linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring) will not play, same for center Zach Frazier (ankle) and that’s it right now. Even with Frazier out, he’s designated as week-to-week, so will not go on injured reserve.
Those who are questionable—running back Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle), safety Damontae Kazee (ankle) and tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee). They will see how the week plays out for outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (groin), but are optimistic about his return. So much so, they released outside linebacker Ade Ogundeji, who was recently added to the active roster.
Center Ryan McCollum will make his second career start and first for the Steelers against the Jets. McCollum came into the game in the second half for Frazier and even with Spencer Anderson and Mason McCormick being center capable, they will go with the 26-year-old from Texas A&M. McCollum started a game with Detroit in 2021, playing a total of 13 games. Since then he’s spent nearly the entire time of the Steelers practice squad.
“I’ve seen a high intensity guy who's a heck of a communicator who is mature beyond his years,” Tomlin said. “And I think that's why we're all comfortable continuing to operate the way that we operated a week ago. And I think that's why we're excited about the opportunity that it is for him.”
Tomlin said he gets excited for players who work hard on practice squads or dealt with other adversity and get their chance to play. He said he’s had some really solid contributions from players who have gotten expanded roles, singling out linebacker Jeremiah Moon who blocked a punt Sunday.
“Over the course of a journey, every man that sits in our team meeting room is going to have an opportunity to ante up and kick in and live out their dreams and show their capabilities,” Tomlin said. “And I just respect that. But I respect that not only in concept, I respect that in in culture, the things that we do day to day to position that to happen, I think is a major component of it.”